Pistons surging is good news for Timberwolves' trade ammo, 2025 draft

If Detroit keeps winning, Minnesota could very well have the Pistons' 2025 first-round pick.

Jan 4, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles in the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Nearing the midway point of the NBA season, the Detroit Pistons have won three in a row, six of seven and are one of the hotter teams in the league.

That's really good news for the Minnesota Timberwolves (outside of getting blasted by them last week), who will get Detroit's 2025 first-round pick so long as the Pistons stay outside of the top 13 picks.

Entering play Monday, the Pistons have the 12th-worst record in the league.

Early look at the first round.

2 teams to monitor: Phoenix and Miami

🏀Houston has the Suns unprotected first

🏀If Miami does not send their first to OKC, the Thunder will receive an unprotected first in 2026. The Hornets will then receive a 2028 unprotected Miami first. pic.twitter.com/AHgFUuh29m

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 6, 2025

If Detroit finishes 14th in the draft order or later, the pick will go to Minnesota in 2025.

But it gets sticky if Detroit keeps the pick in the 2025 draft. In that case, the pick would transfer to 2026 but still be protected for picks 1-11. If Detroit were to keep the pick again in 2026, it would again be protected for picks 1-9 in 2027.

If Minnesota doesn't get Detroit's first-round pick in 2025, 2026 or 2027, they will simply get Detroit's second-round pick in 2027.

What might be more meaningful is that Detroit playing as well as they are could increase the value the pick has in discussions Minnesota has with other teams before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. If Detroit looks like a team destined for the playoffs, teams may jump at the chance to acquire a first-round pick in what is shaping up to be a strong 2025 class of prospects.