Detroit Pistons’ greatest gifts of all-time

6. Adrian Dantley

Adrian Dantley wasn’t with the Pistons for a long time, but he was definitely there for a good time. Prior to the 1986-87 season, Dantley had established himself as a solid big man in the league who was also a high scoring threat. A combination that had yet to be seen a lot in the NBA, Dantley possessed a skill set that made him tough to defend for other teams.

Dantley had actually led the NBA in scoring twice while playing with the Utah Jazz and was a six-time All-Star. When the Pistons made the move to acquire Dantley in exchange for solid all-around player Kelly Tripuka and center Kent Benson, they added a huge inside scoring threat to go along with Bill Laimbeer and add to the Pistons title contending roster.

Though the offense didn’t run through him as often due to the fact that the Pistons had Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, Dantley still put up serious numbers with the Pistons while he was there. Scoring over 20.3 points per game and averaging a field goal percentage of over 52.5%, Dantley added an element to the offense that made the Pistons a nightmare to game plan against.

Dantley never saw a championship with the Pistons, but he helped to get them there without a doubt. Considering that the plays they gave up were at the end of their primes and didn’t do much anywhere else, this trade was a gift to the Pistons in every way.