The rise and fall of Isiah Thomas and his Pistons dynasty, including the 15 teammates who helped him win two championships. Timeline runs from Jack McCloskey becoming GM in 1979 to Joe Dumars retiring in 1999.
1979
December
After losing out on the head coaching job for the Lakers, where he was an assistant under Jerry West, Jack McCloskey accepts a position as general manager of the Pistons. He eventually earns the nickname “Trader Jack” for his wheeling and dealing in building the “Bad Boys” dynasty
1981
June
Isiah Thomas (Indiana) is drafted with the #2 overall pick
November
Vinnie Johnson is acquired via trade from the SuperSonics, in exchange for Greg Kelser
1982
February
Bill Laimbeer (along with Kenny Carr) is acquired via trade from the Cavaliers, in exchange for Phil Hubbard, Paul Mokeski, a first round pick, and a second round pick
October
Steve Hayes is traded to the Cavaliers for a 1986 second round pick, which is eventually used on Dennis Rodman
1983
May
Chuck Daly is hired as head coach, replacing the fired Scotty Robertson
1985
April
The Pistons defeat the Nets in a Conference Quarterfinals sweep, their first playoff series win in nine years
June
Rick Mahorn is acquired via trade from the Bullets, in exchange for Dave Greenwood
Joe Dumars (McNeese State) is drafted with the #18 overall pick
1986
June
John Salley (Georgia Tech) is drafted with the #11 overall pick
Dennis Rodman (Southeast Oklahoma State) is drafted in the second round, with the #27 overall pick
August
Kelly Tripucka and Kent Benson are traded to the Jazz, in exchange for Adrian Dantley and two second round picks
1987
May
The Pistons reach the Conference Finals for the first time since 1962, losing to the Celtics in a tight seven-game series
June
William Bedford is acquired via trade from the Suns, in exchange for a first round pick
1988
February
James Edwards is acquired via trade from the Suns, in exchange for Ron Moore and a second round draft pick
June
The Pistons reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1956, losing to the Lakers in seven games after Isiah Thomas suffers a sprained ankle during game six
Fennis Dembo (Wyoming) is drafted in the second round, with the #30 overall pick
Micheal Williams (Baylor) is drafted in the second round, with the #48 overall pick
1989
February
Mark Aguirre is acquired via trade from the Mavericks, in exchange for Adrian Dantley and a first round draft pick
John Long is signed as a free agent after getting waived by the Pacers
June
The Pistons defeat the Lakers in a sweep for the first championship in franchise history. Joe Dumars is named Finals MVP
On the day of the Pistons’ championship parade, Rick Mahorn is selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in their expansion draft
Micheal Williams and the draft rights to Kenny Battle are traded to the Suns, in exchange for Anthony Cook
July
Scott Hastings is signed as a free agent
October
Dave Greenwood is signed as a free agent, leaving the Heat
John Long departs as a free agent, signing with the Mavericks
December
Gerald Henderson is signed as a free agent after getting waived by the Bucks
1990
June
The Pistons defeat the Bulls in the Conference Finals for the second consecutive season, then defeat the Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals to clinch back-to-back titles. Isiah Thomas is named Finals MVP
August
Dave Greenwood departs as a free agent, signing with the Spurs
November
Gerald Henderson is released. He later rejoins the Pistons late in the ’90-’91 season, then is released again in the subsequent offseason
1991
May
The Pistons are swept by the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals and most of their players refuse to remain on the court for a post-series handshake. It takes 11 years for the Pistons to win another playoff series
August
Scott Hastings and a second round pick are traded to the Nuggets, in exchange for Orlando Woolridge
James Edwards is traded to the Clippers, in exchange for Jeff Martin and a second round pick
September
Vinnie Johnson is waived and subsequently signs with the Spurs
1992
May
Following a first round series loss to the Knicks, Chuck Daly resigns as head coach and is replaced by his former assistant Ron Rothstein
June
William Bedford and Don MacLean are traded to the Clippers, in exchange for Olden Polynice and two second round picks
September
John Salley is traded to the Heat, in exchange for Isaiah Morris and a first round pick
1993
April
The ’92-’93 season ends with the Pistons missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years
October
Dennis Rodman, Isaiah Morris, a first round pick, and a second round pick are traded to the Spurs, in exchange for Sean Elliott, David Wood, and a first round pick
Mark Aguirre is waived and subsequently signs with the Clippers
December
Bill Laimbeer makes a shocking announcement 11 games into the ’93-’94 season that he is retiring. It is later revealed to be in large part due to a physical altercation with Isiah Thomas during a practice session
1994
April
Isiah Thomas tears his ACL during a game against the Magic. He never plays another NBA game again, officially retiring a month later
1999
April
After a 15-season career spent entirely with the Pistons, Joe Dumars retires
Basketball, Listed 