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Detroit Pistons: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pistons

By Phil Watson

Oct 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of The Palace of Auburn Hills prior to the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; A general view of The Palace of Auburn Hills prior to the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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AUBURN HILLS, MI – MAY 31: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons drives for a shot attempt against Rasual Butler #45 of the Miami Heat in the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs May 31, 2005 at the Palace At Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI – MAY 31: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons drives for a shot attempt against Rasual Butler #45 of the Miami Heat in the first half of Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2005 NBA Playoffs May 31, 2005 at the Palace At Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

16. player. 64. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Washington Wizards, Sept. 11, 2002.. SG. . Richard Hamilton

There were questions aplenty when Detroit Pistons boss Joe Dumars traded a two-time All-Star for a three-year pro with some health concerns, but Richard Hamilton answered those questions emphatically.

In September 2002, the Pistons acquired Hamilton from the Washington Wizards along with Hubert Davis and Bobby Simmons in exchange for Jerry Stackhouse, Brian Cardinal and Ratko Varda.

DET_16_HAMILTON
DET_16_HAMILTON /

Hamilton became an integral part of a championship team, defining his game with his non-stop running off screens and terrific shooting touch.

He was a three-time All-Star for the Pistons, leading the league in 3-point shooting in 2005-06.

Hamilton was the Pistons’ leading scorer in their five-game win over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals, averaging 21.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 44.4 minutes per game while shooting .402/4-for-10/.853.

He had trouble with his shot the following season when Detroit lost to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games. In the Finals, he averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 42.0 minutes a night on .386/1-for-6/.750 shooting.

He was waived by the Pistons after the NBA lockout ended in December 2011.

In nine seasons in Detroit, Hamilton averaged 18.4 points, 3.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game while shooting .455/.354/.849.

He declared for the draft after a junior season at Connecticut during which he was an All-American for the second time, also earning the honor as a sophomore, and averaged 21.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game while leading the Huskies to their first national championship.

The Wizards selected the Final Four Most Outstanding Player with the seventh overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.

Hamilton was second in the NBA in free-throw shooting for Washington in 2001-02.

Two days after he was waived by the Pistons, Hamilton signed three-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls declined their option for the final year of his deal in July 2013 and he announced his retirement two years later after having never played another NBA game.

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