The Detroit Pistons began their franchise in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons and are a long and storied franchise. In 1957 they moved from Indiana to Detroit, Michigan.

The team has selected a number of well known players in the NBA draft and also produced 3 championship winning teams.

The first player drafted by the Pistons after moving to Detroit was 6' 8 " Charlie Tyra of the University of Louisville. Though never playing in Detroit, he did see time with the New York Knickerbockers and Chicago Packers. In 1959 they drafted forward Bailey Howell who played 5 seasons with Detroit before being traded to the Boston Celtics. Bailey was a 6 time All Star and career 18.7 a game scorer. He also contributed 9.9 rebounds per game over a 12 year career.

Another notable first round picks of the Pistons were Ray Scott, Dave Debusschere, Dave Bing, now mayor of the city of Detroit and Jimmy Walker. When you add in the likes of Bob Lanier, Isiah Thomas, Kelly Trippuka and Joe Dumars you would think the team was very successful in the draft, but the sad fact is that the vast majority of their first round picks failed to pan out.

2nd overall first round pick Darko Milicichttp://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/draft.html long since gone from the Pistons had been deemed a failure. Although still young and talented he has never lived up to his potential.

What is to their credit is the talent they have selected in the 2nd round of the draft. Names like Dennis Rodman, Jonas Jerebko, Mehmet Okur, Carlos Delfino, Amir Johnson and Allan Houston immediately stand out. Why they have had so much recent success in the 2nd round and not so much in the first is difficult to explain.

Having the 7th overall pick in the 2010 gives the team a chance to take a player that may have a positive impact on the team. It is a necessity that they make the correct choice. After their dismal last season they need to begin moving forward or risk falling out of the playoffs.

2009 NBA Draft - Detroit Pistons Selections

• 1st Round - Austin Daye - Selected 15th overall
• 2nd Round - DaJuan Summers - Selected 35th overall
• 2nd Round - Jonas Jerebko - Selected 39th overall
• 2nd Round - Chase Budinger - Selected 44th overall