Detroit Pistons: 5 ‘Bad Boys’ who would fit in with the franchise

2. Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)

The Pistons did add one throwback player to the roster this offseason, signing 34-year-old center Zaza Pachulia, formerly of the back-to-back champion Warriors.

Pachulia is reputed to be the dirtiest player in the NBA, making headlines over the past two seasons for on-court incidents that left perennial MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard injured and MVP winner Russell Westbrook complaining that Pachulia tried to injure him. When he wasn’t turning the rest of the league against him, Pachulia was helping Golden State win championships.

If Pachulia was the Warriors’ answer to “Bad Boys” staple Bill Laimbeer, then Draymond Green is Golden State’s Dennis Rodman. He’s not just gritty and a little dirty, but also a great player.

Green is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA and four-time All-Defensive pick who was voted the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year. He is a triple-double threat — arguably the best passing power forward in the league — and he can score when he needs to. Green dropped 32 points in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, albeit in a loss. He also had 15 rebounds and nine assists in that game.

Stephen Curry is the face of the Warriors’ franchise, and Kevin Durant is their most talented player. But some would argue that Green is the most indispensable player on the team, and many say he’s the heart and soul of the team.

Green was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and he was a college star at Michigan State. He fits the “Bad Boys” profile on the court with his game and his persona, plus he’s already a local fan favorite despite having never suited up for the Pistons (yet).

Before he finishes what is shaping up as a Hall of Fame career, Draymond Green seems destined to play for his hometown squad.