Detroit Pistons: 10 best rookie seasons in franchise history

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MAY 18: Grant Hill #33 of the Detroit Pistons is presented the 1995 Rookie of the Year Award on May 18, 1995 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Lou Capozzola/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Isiah Thomas (right) and Kelly Tripucka. Both rookies joined the Detroit Pistons in 1981. /

From Hall-of-Famers and superstars to underrated and forgotten names, these Detroit Pistons each began their NBA careers with a bang.

The Detroit Pistons are a relatively young team going into the 2018-19 season, aiming to establish an identity and get back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Two new additions that could earn a spot in Detroit’s rotation and make an impact are rookie guards Bruce Brown Jr. and Khyri Thomas. Both second round draft picks showcased potential to be contributors for first-year Pistons coach Dwane Casey during NBA Summer League.

However, barring injuries to the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart, Detroit’s rookies won’t be asked to do nearly as much as one famous rookie tandem was asked to do for the Pistons during a previous rebuilding phase.

In 1981, Detroit used the No. 2 and the No. 12 picks in the draft on Indiana point guard Isiah Thomas and Notre Dame forward Kelly Tripucka. Both were starters right away and made the NBA All-Star Game as rookies. Isiah Thomas, of course, went on to become the greatest player the franchise has ever had.

It’s safe to predict Brown and Khyri Thomas won’t make the All-Star Game this season. Given their respective places in the Pistons’ pecking order, it would also be a tall task for either of them to crack this list ranking the 10 best rookie seasons in franchise history.

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