The Detroit Pistons had the 37th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft where guard Chaz Lanier was selected out of Tennessee. Let’s take a look at the Pistons best NBA draft picks in franchise history. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. Only time with the team is credited. Their time as the Fort Wayne Pistons is included. The toughest omissions are Bailey Howell and Dave DeBusschere. Some other honorable mentions include Ray Scott, Jimmy Walker, Curtis Rowe, John Long, Terry Tyler, Kelly Tripucka, John Salley, and Greg Monroe.
10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Detroit Pistons History
10. Andre Drummond (9th overall, 2012)
An elite rebounder, Andre Drummond led the league in rebounding three times in his seven full seasons with Detroit. He was named an All-Star twice and made the All-NBA third team in 2015-16. Drummond also averaged 14.4 points and 1.6 blocks in his Pistons tenure.
9. Cade Cunningham (1st overall, 2021)
Just 23 years old, Cade Cunningham certainly has the opportunity to move up this list as his career gets lengthier. He is coming off his best season in which he finished seventh in MVP voting. His 2024-25 season consisted of superb averages of 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists.
8. Tayshaun Prince (23rd overall, 2002)
Never an All-Star type player, Tayshaun Prince was still a perfect fit on a Pistons team that won a title in 2004. For four consecutive seasons (2004-05 until 2007-08), the 6-foot-9 forward made the All-Defensive second team. He is eighth in franchise history with 10,006 points and fifth with 792 appearances.
7. George Yardley (8th overall, 1950)
The scoring champ in 1957-58, George Yardley was a five-time All-Star with the Pistons. The 6-foot-5 forward helped guide Fort Wayne to back-to-back NBA Finals in 1955 and 1956. He also averaged double figures in rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58.
6. Grant Hill (3rd overall, 1994)
While injuries shortened Grant Hill’s prime after leaving Detroit, he was a star in his six seasons with the Pistons. The 1994-95 Co-Rookie of the Year totaled 29 triple-doubles with the team. He was in the top-nine of MVP voting each of his five years donning a Pistons uniform.
5. Dennis Rodman (27th overall, 1986)
One of the game’s all-time great rebounders, Dennis Rodman’s first seven years were spent with the Pistons. The 6-foot-7 forward was part of the 1989 and 1990 championship teams while also winning back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards (1989-90 and 1990-91). He led the league in rebounding his last two seasons with the team, averaging a staggering 18.7 and 18.3 per contest.
4. Joe Dumars (18th overall, 1985)
A member of the Pistons back-to-back champion-winning teams in 1989 and 1990, Joe Dumars was named Finals MVP in the first one. A 14-year veteran (all with Detroit), Dumars made six All-Star, three All-NBA, and five All-Defensive teams. His 1,018 games wearing a Pistons uniform are the most in team history.
3. Dave Bing (2nd overall, 1966)
The 1966-67 Rookie of the Year, Dave Bing averaged at least 20 points each of his first seven seasons. His 2,142 points led the NBA in 1967-68. Altogether in nine seasons with Detroit, he posted averages of 22.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.
2. Bob Lanier (1st overall, 1970)
A 6-foot-11 center, Bob Lanier was an All-Star seven times in his nine full seasons with Detroit. He would average more than 21 points and 11 rebounds for seven straight seasons (1971-72 until 1977-78). Lanier finished top-10 in MVP voting four times, with his highest finish of third coming in 1973-74.
1. Isiah Thomas (2nd overall, 1981)
Spending his whole 13-year career with the Pistons, Isiah Thomas was a 12-time All-Star. He spearheaded Detroit to back-to-back titles, winning Finals MVP in the second one (1990). Thomas led the league in assists in 1984-85, the second of four straight years he averaged double figures.
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