3 Pistons One-Hit Wonders We Wish Hadn't Disappeared

Allen Iverson on the Detroit Pistons
Allen Iverson on the Detroit Pistons / Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons have had many players spend far too little time on the roster. Whether they were a superstar caliber player, or a role player who fit well with the team, Detroit has let plenty of NBA talent walk.

These three former Pistons spent only one full season with the team, and it's a shame. They ended up being one-hit wonders, but could've done so much more for the franchise if they had stayed.

3. Wayne Ellington

Former Detroit Pistons sharpshooter Wayne Ellington
Former Detroit Pistons sharpshooter Wayne Ellington / Duane Burleson/Getty Images

When Wayne Ellington signed with the Detroit Pistons after being waived by the Phoenix Suns, it seemed like Motor City had gotten the missing piece to its roster. Ellington's 3-point shooting ability is top notch, putting up a 37.3% 3P% on 7.8 treys per game. Sadly, any hopes of a Detroit upset in the playoffs went out the window when Blake Griffin struggled with knee soreness throughout the end of the season and into the playoffs. Ellington signed with the Knicks in the 2019 offseason.

2. Allen Iverson

Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson on the Detroit Pistons
Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson on the Detroit Pistons / Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

NBA legend Allen Iverson's time in Detroit was short and strange. Iverson was traded to the Pistons in November 2008, and finished out the season with the team. The Answer put up 17.4 points an 4.9 assists per game in 54 games in Detroit, earning an All-Star nod. Heading down the home stretch of the season, the Pistons ended up fully benching Iverson in favor of Rodney Stuckey. A.I. would leave and sign with the Memphis Grizzlies the following offseason.

1. Bob McAdoo

Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo is one of the greatest scoring bigs to ever play the game. McAdoo played the role of perimeter scoring big man far before it became popular in the NBA. His smooth jumper helped him to put up 21.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game on the 1979-1980 Detroit Pistons. McAdoo would only play six games for Detroit the following season before being waived.