Detroit Pistons: Ranking the top-8 Pistons’ drafts of all-time

The Detroit Pistons have never been that great at the NBA Draft.

In fact, it is much easier to put together a list of worst Pistons’ draft picks than best, as they just haven’t hit much, especially in the modern era.

Pistons’ fans hope that all changed in 2020, when Troy Weaver selected four players who already look like they could be special.

Saddiq Bey is one of the top rookies from his class by about any measure.

Isaiah Stewart has a bit of a Ben Wallace vibe and is already a fan favorite because of his hustle and defense.

Saben Lee has certainly outplayed his second-round draft status, and though the book is still out on rookie Killian Hayes, there is a lot to be excited about.

But where does this draft rank in Pistons’ history?

We took a look at the “modern” drafts, as old school drafts had too many players to evaluate fairly.

Drafts used to have as many as 16 rounds, so we’ll be leaving off some important Pistons, including guys like Dick Groat (1952), Dave DeBusschere (1962), Dave Bing (1966) and Bob Lanier (1970) as it was a much different game back then and the draft a massive endeavor.

So these drafts will only go back as far as 1981, a special year for the Detroit Pistons for many reasons.

Here are the top-8 Pistons’ drafts of all time, starting with number eight.

Detroit Pistons’ Top drafts of all time: No. 8

2012: Andre Drummond/ Khris Middleton

This one is bittersweet, as neither of these guys still play for the Detroit Pistons. Drummond was a stat machine for the Detroit Pistons but it never really translated to many wins, as he is not good enough to be the centerpiece of a  team. Drummond was always meant to be the 3rd or 4th best player on a good team but the Pistons never put one around him.

Middleton is one that still makes Pistons’ fans angry, as he was simply given away for nothing and has since become an All-Star for the Milwaukee Bucks, a classic case of a team giving up too early on a player.