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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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CLEVELAND – APRIL 21: Antonio McDyess #24 of the Detroit Pistons pulls a rebound away from Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 21, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND – APRIL 21: Antonio McDyess #24 of the Detroit Pistons pulls a rebound away from Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 21, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

player. 64. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, July 16, 2004; Free agent, Dec. 9, 2008.. PF. . Antonio McDyess. 24

After the Detroit Pistons won the NBA title in 2004, they couldn’t resist an opportunity to add a former All-Star looking for a lesser role with a contender.

So in July 2004, the Pistons signed Antonio McDyess as a free agent and turned him loose as a reserve big man off the bench.

DET_24_MCDYESS
DET_24_MCDYESS /

He helped Detroit get back to the NBA Finals for a second straight year and averaged 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just 21.9 minutes per game in the seven-game loss to the

San Antonio Spurs

, shooting .508/—/5-for-9.

McDyess continued in his reserve role for the Pistons, who were not able to get back to the Finals. McDyess took on a starting role at power forward in 2007-08 when the team began to remake itself.

In November 2008, McDyess was traded along with Chauncey Billups and Cheikh Samb to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Allen Iverson.

Denver quickly bought out McDyess’ contract and in December 2008, he returned to the Pistons as a free agent.

He left the Pistons to sign with the Spurs in July 2009.

In parts of five seasons in Detroit, McDyess averaged 8.7 points and 7.1 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game, shooting .509/0-for-5/.643.

McDyess declared for the NBA Draft after his sophomore season at Alabama, during which he averaged 13.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and was taken by the Los Angeles Clippers with the second overall pick in the 1995 draft.

On draft night, he was traded to the Nuggets and was an All-Rookie first team selection in 1995-96.

In October 1997, McDyess was traded to the Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal that also included the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But when the lockout ended in January 1999, the Suns renounced his rights, making him a free agent, and he re-signed with Denver the next day.

An All-NBA selection in 1998-99 and an All-Star in 2001, McDyess finished fifth in the league in rebounding in 2000-01.

On draft night in June 2002, he was traded to the New York Knicks, but missed the entire 2002-03 season with a knee injury. In January 2004, he was dealt back to the Suns.

He was waived by the Spurs after the lockout ended in December 2011 and 10 days later opted to retire.

Next: Hutch Helped Fort Wayne To Back-To-Back Finals

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