The **Detroit Pistons** are living in the present, and the present is pretty sweet. For a franchise that was rebuilding not long ago, the focus is clearly on winning now, not peeking ahead to draft night.
But that didn’t stop ESPN from doing exactly that.
[In its latest two-round mock draft](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47581915/2026-nba-mock-draft-new-names-top-30-first-round-picks), the worldwide leader projected the Pistons to select Michigan center **Aday Mara** with the No. 29 overall pick. It’s a familiar name for local fans, and an intriguing one for a team that has built its resurgence around size, defense, and versatility in the frontcourt.
Mara, a 7-foot-3 junior, is in his first season at Michigan after transferring from UCLA and has quickly become one of the most impactful big men in the Big Ten. Through 15 games with the Wolverines, he’s averaging 10.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, giving Michigan an elite rim protector and interior presence on both ends of the floor.
For Detroit, the fit is easy to imagine. The Pistons have built their identity on length, physicality, and defensive toughness. Adding a 7-foot-3 center who can alter shots, control the glass, and provide efficient scoring in the paint would only strengthen that foundation, especially in a league where rim protection remains at a premium.
Even if the Pistons are focused on banners instead of ping-pong balls right now, it’s never too early to imagine what a player like Aday Mara could look like anchoring the paint at Little Caesars Arena.