7 Basketball Players who Played for Wizards and Pistons
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Wizards and the Pistons.
Ish Smith
Ish Smith was drafted as the 17th pick in the second round of the 2010 NBA Development League Draft by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Though he went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft, he made his NBA debut later that year with the Houston Rockets.
Primarily known as a journeyman point guard and a valuable role player, Smith’s quickness and ability to distribute the ball have been his standout attributes.
Over his NBA career, Smith has played for an incredible 13 different teams, including the Grizzlies, Warriors, Magic, 76ers, Pistons, Wizards, Hornets and Pistons (and that’s barely over half!).
*Smith was the most popular pick in this square for a previous grid (Grid 31)
Smith Key Stats
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (76ers, Pelicans, Pistons, Wizards)
Jerry Stackhouse
Over his 18-season NBA career, Jerry Stackhouse played for teams including the 76ers, Pistons, and Mavericks. At the University of North Carolina, Stackhouse earned All-American honors and entered the 1995 NBA Draft, where he was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Stackhouse’s best years came with the Detroit Pistons, where he was twice named an NBA All-Star and led the league in total points in the 2000-01 season. His scoring prowess and competitiveness were hallmarks of his playing career.
After retiring from playing, Stackhouse transitioned into coaching. He served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors and was the head coach of the Raptors’ G-League team, Raptors 905, leading them to a championship in 2017.
Stackhouse Key Stats
- All-Star (Pistons)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (76ers, Pistons, Wizards)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Pistons)
Ben Wallace
Undrafted out of Virginia Union University, a Division II school, Ben Wallace began his NBA career with the Washington Bullets/Wizards before making a name for himself with the Pistons.
Wallace was best known for his defensive prowess and rebounding ability. Despite standing at only 6’9″ — relatively short for a center — his tenacity, strength, and instincts helped him become one of the best defenders in the league. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times, a record he shares with Dikembe Mutombo.
As a Piston, he was a crucial part of the “Goin’ to Work” Pistons that won the NBA Championship in 2004. He was a four-time NBA All-Star and made five All-NBA teams. Despite not being a significant scoring threat, Wallace’s impact was undeniable. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Wallace Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Pistons, Wizards, Bulls, Magic, Cavaliers)
- All-NBA (Pistons)
- All-Star (Pistons)
- NBA Championship (Pistons)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pistons, Bulls)
Caron Butler
Playing college basketball at the University of Connecticut, Caron Butler quickly gained recognition as a top talent, leading the Huskies deep into the NCAA Tournament. Butler was selected 10th overall by the Miami Heat in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Throughout his career, he played for several teams, including the Lakers, Wizards, Mavericks, and Clippers, among others. During his time with the Wizards, he formed a formidable trio alongside Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison, with Butler earning two NBA All-Star selections in 2007 and 2008.
Butler’s resilience was evident throughout his career, having overcome significant challenges and adversity in his early life. Beyond his playing days, he has been a positive figure in the community, leveraging his platform to address social issues and mentor younger players.
Butler Key Stats
- All-Star (Wizards)
- NBA Champ (Mavericks)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Wizards)
Chris Webber
After a storied college career with the University of Michigan, where he was a key member of the famed “Fab Five,” Chris Webber was selected first overall in the 1993 NBA Draft. Webber’s NBA career spanned 15 seasons, with stints at the Warriors, Bullets/Wizards, Kings, 76ers, and Pistons.
His most successful tenure was with the Kings, where he was a central figure in the team’s playoff runs in the early 2000s. He was a five-time NBA All-Star and won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1994.
In his prime, Webber was one of the league’s most potent offensive players, with a diverse skill set that included scoring, rebounding, and passing. In 2021, he was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Webber Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Kings, Wizards, 76ers, Warriors, Pistons)
- Rookie of the Year (Warriors)
- All-NBA (Kings)
- All-Star (Kings, Wizards)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Wizards, Kings, 76ers)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Wizards, Kings)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Kings)
Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Wallace had a very successful career in the NBA from 1995 to 2013. Wallace, a versatile power forward known for his strong defense and three-point shooting, was picked fourth overall by the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) in the 1995 NBA Draft.
He played a single season with the Bullets before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent the bulk of his early career. In Portland, Wallace established himself as an All-Star, but his time there was also marked by technical fouls and controversies.
In 2004, Wallace was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he played a key role in winning that year’s NBA Championship. Wallace later had stints with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. He was a four-time All-Star and also received recognition for his defensive skills throughout his career.
Wallace Key Stats
- All-Star (Trail Blazers, Pistons)
- NBA Championship (Pistons)
Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner led the Blue Devils to two NCAA Championships in 1991 and 1992, and he is still widely remembered for “The Shot”, his game-winning turnaround jumper in the 1992 East Regional final against Kentucky. This moment is one of the most iconic in college basketball history.
Laettner was also the only college player selected for the original “Dream Team” at the 1992 Summer Olympics, which won the gold medal.
In the NBA, Laettner played 13 seasons in the league with several teams, including the Timberwolves, Hawks, Pistons, Mavericks, and Wizards. His most successful NBA season came in 1996-1997 with the Hawks when he averaged 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, earning him his sole NBA All-Star selection.
Mike James
Mike James began his NBA career undrafted, but he managed to break into the league in 2001 with the Miami Heat. From there, he embarked on a journey that saw him play for numerous teams, including the Celtics, Pistons, Bucks, Rockets, Raptors, Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Wizards, and Bulls.
Perhaps the highlight of his NBA tenure came during the 2005-2006 season with the Toronto Raptors, where he averaged a career-high in points and showcased his ability to lead a team as a primary guard. His NBA journey was marked by his adaptability, allowing him to fit into various roles, from starting point guard to a bench contributor.
In addition to his NBA career, James had spells in international basketball, playing in France, Turkey, and Italy, which further underscored his dedication and adaptability to different styles of play and cultures.
James Key Stats
- NBA Championship (Pistons)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Raptors)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Raptors)
