Detroit Pistons hold the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and view Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz as one of their strongest options to add immediate perimeter shooting. The team enters the draft with only this selection and aims to land a player who can contribute right away while the franchise pushes for a championship. General manager Trajan Langdon has Stirtz on his radar in part because of the guard's proven three point volume from the Big Ten.

Stirtz averaged 19.8 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game last season while converting 35.8 percent of his three point attempts. Those numbers came during Iowa's run to the Elite Eight, where his scoring and playmaking helped carry the Hawkeyes deep into March. The Pistons have struggled to space the floor consistently, and adding a guard who can knock down shots off the catch or in spot up situations would directly target that weakness.

Stirtz projects as a bench spark who can slide into Detroit's second unit and stretch defenses without needing the ball in his hands every possession. His size and shooting mechanics should allow him to play alongside the Pistons' young wings and bigs, creating driving lanes that have often closed too quickly in recent seasons. The fit feels natural because he does not demand creation duties that might overlap with established starters.

This selection would mark Detroit's first first round pick outside the lottery since 2019. The front office has prioritized shooting upgrades across the offseason, and Stirtz's profile aligns with that directive more than pure athleticism or defensive versatility. Similar approaches have helped other teams raise the floor of their offenses without requiring major adjustments to existing rotations.

The Pistons approach the draft looking to improve their three point shooting struggles. Selecting Stirtz at No. 21 overall can help Detroit in that category. He could prove to be a valuable option off the bench that can help Detroit's offense score consistently.

Stirtz's college leadership experience suggests he could stabilize a bench group that has lacked consistent scoring punch in prior years. His three point shooting stands as the clearest immediate benefit for a Pistons roster that needs more floor spacing to support its pursuit of an NBA championship.