Best draft picks in Detroit Pistons history
The draft is a seminal moment for many incoming players. Putting aside competitive stakes, each young athlete's life is irreversibly altered by the fame and fortune that comes with being an NBA player. The exorbitant contract values ensures these players almost never have to worry about personal finances. Plus, these young guns get to play alongside some of their basketball idols for a living. With these high stakes, it's easy to see why the draft is so revered.
Likewise, the fortunes of a city and franchise can be completely transformed by a draft pick. LeBron James, for instance, brought Cleveland its first sports championship in 52 years and was also reportedly worth hundreds of millions to the city's downtown economy. It almost goes without saying that Michael Jordan built the Chicago Bulls from the ground up into a championship team whose dynamic would reverberate through the decades.
With that in mind, Stacker compiled a list of the best draft picks in Detroit Pistons history using data from Basketball-Reference.com. Players were ranked according to a formula that approximates their career achievements, career value, and play quality. The formula encompasses Basketball-Reference.com's Hall of Fame probability, career win shares, and value over replacement player, aka VORP. For players drafted before data is available for VORP, half of the player's win shares were used in its place to calculate their Stacker score.
Basketball Hall of Fame inductees were given a minimum of 60% for their Hall of Fame probability, indicating a worthy résumé for their time but not up to par with some modern players. Scores were normalized to 100 based on the scoring leader. Keep reading to see where your favorite players fall on the list.
#50. Willie Norwood
- Stacker score: 5.3
- 19th overall pick in 1969
- Played five seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 7.5 PTS, 3.7 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 17.6 win shares
#49. Rodney Stuckey
- Stacker score: 5.4
- 15th overall pick in 2007
- Played seven seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 12.6 PTS, 2.9 REB, 3.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.7 win shares, -0.9 box plus/minus, 4.9 VORP
#48. Carlos Delfino
- Stacker score: 5.4
- 25th overall pick in 2003
- Played three seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 8.1 PTS, 3.6 REB, 1.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 22.5 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 7.2 VORP
#47. John Long
- Stacker score: 5.4
- 29th overall pick in 1978
- Played 10 seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 13.6 PTS, 2.8 REB, 1.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 32.0 win shares, -1.3 box plus/minus, 3.7 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1989 NBA Champ
#46. Ben Poquette
- Stacker score: 5.7
- 36th overall pick in 1977
- Played two seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 6.8 PTS, 5.2 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.4 win shares, -0.7 box plus/minus, 5.3 VORP
#45. Jim Davis
- Stacker score: 5.8
- 29th overall pick in 1964
- Played four seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 6.7 PTS, 5.2 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 19.2 win shares
#44. Darwin Cook
- Stacker score: 6.2
- 70th overall pick in 1980
- Career averages: 9.5 PTS, 2.1 REB, 3.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 22.9 win shares, 0.6 box plus/minus, 9.4 VORP
#43. Spencer Dinwiddie
- Stacker score: 6.4
- 38th overall pick in 2014
- Played two seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 13.8 PTS, 3.1 REB, 5.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.7 win shares, 0.4 box plus/minus, 7.8 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.0%
#42. Bonzi Wells
- Stacker score: 6.6
- 11th overall pick in 1998
- Career averages: 12.1 PTS, 4.6 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 29.4 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 8.3 VORP
#41. Antoine Carr
- Stacker score: 6.8
- Eighth overall pick in 1983
- Career averages: 9.3 PTS, 3.4 REB, 1.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 42.1 win shares, -1.2 box plus/minus, 4.1 VORP
#40. Johnny Egan
- Stacker score: 7.1
- 17th overall pick in 1961
- Played three seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 7.8 PTS, 1.8 REB, 3.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 23.7 win shares
#39. Joe Caldwell
- Stacker score: 7.2
- Second overall pick in 1964
- Played two seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 16.1 PTS, 5.3 REB, 3.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 23.9 win shares
- Accolades
--- 2x All-Defensive
--- 4x All Star
#38. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Stacker score: 7.3
- Eighth overall pick in 2013
- Played four seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 11.5 PTS, 3.1 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 39.1 win shares, -0.8 box plus/minus, 6.6 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 0.1%
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
#37. Eddie Miles
- Stacker score: 7.3
- Fourth overall pick in 1963
- Played seven seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 13.4 PTS, 3.1 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.4 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#36. Jerome Williams
- Stacker score: 7.4
- 26th overall pick in 1996
- Played five seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 6.6 PTS, 6.4 REB, 0.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 37.9 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 7.4 VORP
#35. Otto Moore
- Stacker score: 7.4
- Sixth overall pick in 1968
- Played four seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 8.2 PTS, 8.2 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 24.7 win shares
#34. Lindsey Hunter
- Stacker score: 7.5
- 10th overall pick in 1993
- Played 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 8.5 PTS, 2.2 REB, 2.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 32.9 win shares, -0.4 box plus/minus, 9.4 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
#33. Micheal Williams
- Stacker score: 7.5
- 48th overall pick in 1988
- Played one season with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 11.0 PTS, 2.5 REB, 5.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 28.5 win shares, 2.3 box plus/minus, 11.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1989 NBA Champ
--- 1991-92 All-Defensive
#32. Cliff Levingston
- Stacker score: 8.3
- Ninth overall pick in 1982
- Played two seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 7.1 PTS, 5.2 REB, 0.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 44.2 win shares, -0.2 box plus/minus, 7.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
#31. John Salley
- Stacker score: 8.9
- 11th overall pick in 1986
- Played six seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 7.0 PTS, 4.5 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 41.5 win shares, 0.5 box plus/minus, 10.5 VORP
- Accolades
--- 4x NBA Champ
#30. Kevin Loughery
- Stacker score: 9.0
- 13th overall pick in 1962
- Played two seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 15.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 29.8 win shares
#29. Spud Webb
- Stacker score: 9.1
- 87th overall pick in 1985
- Career averages: 9.9 PTS, 2.1 REB, 5.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 40.2 win shares, 0.2 box plus/minus, 11.5 VORP
#28. Ray Scott
- Stacker score: 9.3
- Fourth overall pick in 1961
- Played six seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 14.3 PTS, 9.8 REB, 2.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 30.8 win shares
#27. Kelly Tripucka
- Stacker score: 9.6
- 12th overall pick in 1981
- Played five seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 17.2 PTS, 3.8 REB, 3.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 44.4 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 11.2 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x All Star
#26. Theo Ratliff
- Stacker score: 9.7
- 18th overall pick in 1995
- Played four seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 7.2 PTS, 5.7 REB, 0.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 47.9 win shares, 0.0 box plus/minus, 10.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 3x BLK Champ
--- 2x All-Defensive
--- 1x All Star
#25. Terry Tyler
- Stacker score: 9.8
- 23rd overall pick in 1978
- Played seven seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 10.2 PTS, 5.4 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 40.8 win shares, 0.4 box plus/minus, 13.2 VORP
#24. Curtis Rowe
- Stacker score: 10.3
- 11th overall pick in 1971
- Played five seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 11.6 PTS, 7.2 REB, 1.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 34.1 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#23. Chris Ford
- Stacker score: 10.7
- 17th overall pick in 1972
- Played seven seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 9.2 PTS, 3.0 REB, 3.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 35.6 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1981 NBA Champ
#22. Amir Johnson
- Stacker score: 10.7
- 56th overall pick in 2005
- Played four seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 7.0 PTS, 5.4 REB, 1.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 55.3 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 10.6 VORP
#21. Tom Van Arsdale
- Stacker score: 11.0
- 14th overall pick in 1965
- Played three seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 15.3 PTS, 4.2 REB, 2.2 AST
- Advanced statistics: 36.6 win shares
- Accolades
--- 3x All Star
#20. Greg Monroe
- Stacker score: 11.7
- Seventh overall pick in 2010
- Played five seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 13.0 PTS, 8.2 REB, 2.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 50.4 win shares, 1.4 box plus/minus, 15.3 VORP
#19. Mehmet Okur
- Stacker score: 12.0
- 38th overall pick in 2001
- Played two seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 13.5 PTS, 7.0 REB, 1.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 54.7 win shares, 1.1 box plus/minus, 14.5 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2004 NBA Champ
--- 1x All Star
#18. Khris Middleton
- Stacker score: 12.2
- 39th overall pick in 2012
- Played one season with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 17.0 PTS, 4.8 REB, 3.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 52.5 win shares, 0.7 box plus/minus, 14.9 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 1.7%
- Accolades
--- 2021 NBA Champ
--- 3x All Star
#17. Allan Houston
- Stacker score: 12.3
- 11th overall pick in 1993
- Played three seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 17.3 PTS, 2.9 REB, 2.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 55.3 win shares, 0.1 box plus/minus, 15.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x All Star
#16. Jimmy Walker
- Stacker score: 12.9
- First overall pick in 1967
- Played five seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 16.7 PTS, 2.7 REB, 3.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 42.9 win shares
- Accolades
--- 2x All Star
#15. Tayshaun Prince
- Stacker score: 14.3
- 23rd overall pick in 2002
- Played 12 seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 11.1 PTS, 4.3 REB, 2.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 63.1 win shares, 0.3 box plus/minus, 18.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2004 NBA Champ
--- 4x All-Defensive
#14. Andre Drummond
- Stacker score: 15.6
- Ninth overall pick in 2012
- Played eight seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 13.2 PTS, 12.7 REB, 1.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 70.5 win shares, 1.2 box plus/minus, 18.0 VORP
- Hall of Fame probability: 1.9%
- Accolades
--- 4x TRB Champ
--- 2015-16 All-NBA
--- 2x All Star
#13. Ricky Pierce
- Stacker score: 15.7
- 18th overall pick in 1982
- Played one season with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 14.9 PTS, 2.4 REB, 1.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 72.2 win shares, 1.1 box plus/minus, 18.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#12. Steve Mix
- Stacker score: 17.3
- 61st overall pick in 1969
- Played three seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 10.6 PTS, 5.3 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 57.6 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1x All Star
#11. Randy Smith
- Stacker score: 18.5
- 205th overall pick in 1970
- Career averages: 16.7 PTS, 3.7 REB, 4.6 AST
- Advanced statistics: 60.1 win shares
- Hall of Fame probability: 2.6%
- Accolades
--- 1975-76 All-NBA
--- 1977-78 AS MVP
--- 2x All Star
#10. Dan Issel
- Stacker score: 24.8
- 122nd overall pick in 1970
- Career averages: 22.6 PTS, 9.1 REB, 2.4 AST
- Advanced statistics: 82.3 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1975 ABA Champ
--- 1970-71 ROY
--- 1971-72 AS MVP
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#9. George Yardley
- Stacker score: 28.9
- Eighth overall pick in 1950
- Played four seasons with Fort Wayne Pistons and two seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 19.2 PTS, 8.9 REB, 1.7 AST
- Advanced statistics: 58.5 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1957-58 Scoring Champ
--- 2x All-NBA
--- 6x All Star
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#8. Dennis Rodman
- Stacker score: 31.3
- 27th overall pick in 1986
- Played seven seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 7.3 PTS, 13.1 REB, 1.8 AST
- Advanced statistics: 89.8 win shares, 0.9 box plus/minus, 21.0 VORP
- Accolades
--- 5x NBA Champ
--- 2x Def. POY
--- 7x TRB Champ
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#7. Dave DeBusschere
- Stacker score: 32.2
- Fourth overall pick in 1962
- Played seven seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 16.1 PTS, 11.0 REB, 2.9 AST
- Advanced statistics: 60.8 win shares
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
--- 1968-69 All-NBA
--- 6x All-Defensive
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#6. Joe Dumars
- Stacker score: 32.4
- 18th overall pick in 1985
- Played 14 seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 16.1 PTS, 2.2 REB, 4.5 AST
- Advanced statistics: 86.2 win shares, 0.8 box plus/minus, 25.3 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
--- 1988-89 Finals MVP
--- 3x All-NBA
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#5. Dave Bing
- Stacker score: 36.0
- Second overall pick in 1966
- Played nine seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 20.3 PTS, 3.8 REB, 6.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 68.8 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1967-68 Scoring Champ
--- 1966-67 ROY
--- 3x All-NBA
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#4. Isiah Thomas
- Stacker score: 41.4
- Second overall pick in 1981
- Played 13 seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 19.2 PTS, 3.6 REB, 9.3 AST
- Advanced statistics: 80.7 win shares, 2.6 box plus/minus, 41.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
--- 1989-90 Finals MVP
--- 1984-85 AST Champ
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#3. Grant Hill
- Stacker score: 42.7
- Third overall pick in 1994
- Played six seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 16.7 PTS, 6.0 REB, 4.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 99.9 win shares, 3.0 box plus/minus, 43.6 VORP
- Accolades
--- 1994-95 ROY
--- 5x All-NBA
--- 7x All Star
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#2. Bailey Howell
- Stacker score: 50.1
- Second overall pick in 1959
- Played five seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 18.7 PTS, 9.9 REB, 2.0 AST
- Advanced statistics: 114.8 win shares
- Accolades
--- 2x NBA Champ
--- 1962-63 All-NBA
--- 6x All Star
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
#1. Bob Lanier
- Stacker score: 51.0
- First overall pick in 1970
- Played 10 seasons with Detroit Pistons
- Career averages: 20.1 PTS, 10.1 REB, 3.1 AST
- Advanced statistics: 117.1 win shares
- Accolades
--- 1973-74 AS MVP
--- 8x All Star
--- Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
