- The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Bill Laimbeer to the Detroit Pistons in 1982.
- Grant Hill was sent to the Orlando Magic in a sign-and-trade for Ben Wallace in 2000.
- Jerry Stackhouse was dealt to the Washington Wizards for Richard Hamilton in 2002.
The Detroit Pistons have made many moves to improve their chances of winning, thus helping them boast short championship basketball odds at a sportsbook.
The Pistons have made good on their short NBA championship odds three times, as some of these trades helped them reach the finish line.
With that said, what are the seven biggest trades in Pistons history? Let’s find out.
7 Biggest Detroit Pistons Trades in Team History
1. Phil Hubbard, Paul Mokeski, First-Round Pick, and Second-Round Pick for Bill Laimbeer and Ken Carr
The Pistons acquired Bill Laimbeer from the Cleveland Cavaliers in February 1982.
Laimbeer was the defensive anchor for the “Bad Boy” Pistons. He helped make life difficult for Michael Jordan with his physical style of play in the Eastern Conference finals against the Chicago Bulls in 1989 and 1990. Detroit won the NBA Finals in both years.
2. Grant Hill for Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins
Grant Hill showed flashes of becoming the next all-time great during his run with the Pistons, but injuries slowed him down following his sign-and-trade to the Orlando Magic in 2000.
In came Ben Wallace, who anchored some of the greatest defences in NBA history. That helped Detroit take down the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the 2004 NBA Finals.
The Pistons’ defence held their opponents to under 70 points 11 times in that playoff run.
Big Ben won four Defensive Player of the Year awards while playing in Motown.
3. Jerry Stackhouse, Brian Cardinal, and Ratko Varda for Richard Hamilton, Bobby Simmons, and Hubert Davis
Jerry Stackhouse was a season removed from averaging nearly 30 points per game before being traded to the Washington Wizards in 2002.
In came Richard Hamilton, who slotted in nicely next to Chauncey Billups in Detroit’s backcourt with his patented midrange jumper and solid defence during the Pistons’ championship run.
4. Zeljko Rebraca, Bob Sura, Lindsey Hunter, Chucky Atkins, and Two First-Round Picks for Rasheed Wallace and Mike James
Rasheed Wallace played just one game for the Atlanta Hawks following his time with the Portland Trail Blazers before joining the Pistons in 2004.
Sheed helped the Pistons go all the way with his low post scoring, 3-point shooting, and defence, as his fiery energy was a welcomed addition to an already hard-nosed group of guys.
5. Adrian Dantley and First-Round Pick for Mark Aguirre
Mark Aguirre was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks in 1989, as he helped the Pistons win championships in 1989 and 1990.
He sacrificed shot attempts and played very tough defence during his time in Detroit after regularly averaging over 20 points per game as a Maverick.
6. Greg Kelser for Vinnie Johnson
Vinnie Johnson was acquired from the Seattle SuperSonics in 1981, as he proved to be a vital part of Detroit’s championship runs in 1989 and 1990.
Johnson had the championship-clinching shot in Detroit’s 92-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals.
7. Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, First-Round Pick, and Second-Round Pick for Blake Griffin, Brice Johnson, and Willie Reed
Blake Griffin wasn’t the same explosive dunker he was when he was with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he tapped into his other skills once the Pistons acquired him in 2018.
Griffin’s versatility in scoring the ball, playmaking, and defending multiple positions helped the Pistons get to the playoffs in 2019.
The content provided in this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of BetMGM LLC. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.
