The Most Important Trade in Detroit Pistons Franchise History

There have been many memorable trades that the Detroit Pistons have benefited from over the years.

These include a 2004 deal that brought in Rasheed Wallace, the 2002 acquisition of Rip Hamilton, and Ben Wallace in 2000. We could go even further back to 1989, when the Pistons traded Adrian Dantley for Mark Aguirre – a move that landed Detroit an NBA championship.

But one move will live on in Pistons infamy, shifting the franchise's culture and beginning the “Bad Boys” era that brought back-to-back NBA titles.

The Legend of Laimbeer

On a cold day on February 16, 1982, one move would change the landscape of the Detroit Pistons forever.

A deal that sent Phil Hubbard, Paul Mokeski, and two draft picks to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Bill Laimbeer and Ken Carr. At the time of his move to Detroit, Laimbeer had struggled to get meaningful minutes with the Cavs after returning from a spell in Italy with Brescia.

Laimbeer mostly warmed the bench throughout the 1980–81 season, playing in 81 of 82 games without starting. His issues continued in the following campaign, as he started only four games in 50 appearances. He saw the trade to the Pistons as a fresh start.

It was his chance to reinvent himself and seize the opportunity. Laimbeer grabbed it with both hands – and then some.

He was immediately named the Pistons’ starting center. Throughout his career, Laimbeer became one of the NBA’s most notorious players. Although beloved by Pistons fans, opposing players and supporters widely despised him for his aggressive style of play and obvious disdain for his opponents, but that was what he wanted. He was fiercely loyal to his teammates, and quickly formed a close bond with guard Isaiah Thomas.

In the ESPN 30 for 30 film Bad Boys, Laimbeer explained that his approach to the game was largely psychological. Before each game, when the Pistons took the court, he made a point of leading the team out of the locker room. He would do so with a scowl on his face, projecting an intimidating presence and making it clear that he was not afraid of anyone.

His approach, style of play, and take-no-prisoners attitude helped create the legendary Detroit “Bad Boys”.

"He [Laimbeer] was more than a thug, but that's what he'll be remembered for,” wrote Laimbeer’s former teammate Dennis Rodman in his book “Bad As I Wanna Be”.

Laimbeer knew that other players were more skilled than he was, but few could match his physicality on the court. He used that to his advantage, adopting a hard-nosed style designed to wear down opponents and frustrate them into focusing more on retaliating against him and the Pistons than on winning the game.

As Laimbeer put it, if he could push an opponent to that point during a game, he knew he had broken him down.

His demeanor rubbed off on his teammates, and their physical, in-your-face style of basketball helped them bag NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.

Laimbeer and Johnson — 06/10/1990; Portland, Oregon USA; Pistons'' Vinnie Johnson and Bill Laimbeer talk strategy during game three of the 1990 NBA Finals at The Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: William Archie -Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Sports

Laimbeer would spend 14 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the Pistons. He became the 19th player in league history to amass more than 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds, and he was most effective off the defensive boards. From 1982 to 1990, no player in the league pulled down more defensive rebounds.

He retired in 1993, citing a lack of competitive desire and saying he was starting to hate the man he was becoming. Tensions between him and Thomas grew toward the end of his career, culminating in an altercation during a practice session. But the two reconciled and, to this day, are still friends.

But for the Pistons, landing Laimbeer was the true key to their success in 1989 and 1990.

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