Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs players: who played for both
Who played for both the Pistons and Spurs?
38 players played for both the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs between 1976–77 and 2025–26, including Tracy McGrady, Dennis Rodman, Alvin Robertson and Boban Marjanović. 19 of them played for the Pistons first and 17 for the Spurs first; 2 played for both in the same season.
Did you know?
- John Shumate is the earliest on this list to complete the pair: Pistons first, then the Spurs from 1979–80.
- Stanley Umude is the most recent: Pistons first, then the Spurs from 2025–26.
- Sean Elliott played the most seasons across the two: 1 for the Pistons and 11 for the Spurs.
- 5 of them had two or more separate spells with one of the teams, such as Sean Elliott.
- Most common positions on this list: PF (12), C (11), SG (7), SF (4).
How many can you name?
Name players who played for both the Pistons and the Spurs. The surname is enough. 0 / 38
All 38 players, most seasons with the two first
| Player | Pos | Pistons | Spurs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Elliott | SF | 1993–94 (1 s) | 1989–1993, 1994–2001 (11 s) |
| Vinnie Johnson | SG/PG | 1981–1991 (10 s) | 1991–92 (1 s) |
| Dennis Rodman | PF/SF | 1986–1993 (7 s) | 1993–1995 (2 s) |
| Antonio McDyess | PF/C | 2004–2009 (5 s) | 2009–2011 (2 s) |
| Cory Joseph | PG/SG | 2020–2023 (3 s) | 2011–2015 (4 s) |
| Alvin Robertson | SG | 1992–93 (1 s) | 1984–1989 (5 s) |
| David Greenwood | PF/C | 1989–90 (1 s) | 1985–1989, 1990–91 (5 s) |
| Austin Daye | PF | 2009–2013 (4 s) | 2013–2015 (2 s) |
| William Bedford | C | 1987–1992 (5 s) | 1992–93 (1 s) |
| Theo Ratliff | C/PF | 1995–1998, 2007–08 (4 s) | 2009–10 (1 s) |
| Stanley Johnson | SF/PF | 2015–2019 (4 s) | 2022–23 (1 s) |
| Aron Baynes | C/PF | 2015–2017 (2 s) | 2012–2015 (3 s) |
| Cadillac Anderson | PF/C | 1993–94 (1 s) | 1987–1989, 1995–1997 (4 s) |
| Chuck Nevitt | C | 1985–1988 (3 s) | 1993–94 (1 s) |
| Nazr Mohammed | C | 2006–2008 (2 s) | 2004–2006 (2 s) |
| Johnny Dawkins | PG | 1994–95 (1 s) | 1986–1989 (3 s) |
| Beno Udrih | PG/SG | 2016–17 (1 s) | 2004–2007 (3 s) |
| Jud Buechler | SF/SG | 1998–2001 (3 s) | 1991–92 (1 s) |
| Anthony Tolliver | PF | 2014–2016, 2017–18 (3 s) | 2008–09 (1 s) |
| Sidney Green | PF/C | 1986–87 (1 s) | 1990–1993 (3 s) |
| John Shumate | PF/C | 1977–1980 (3 s) | 1979–80 (1 s) |
| Boban Marjanović | C | 2016–2018 (2 s) | 2015–16 (1 s) |
| Trey Lyles | PF | 2021–22 (1 s) | 2019–2021 (2 s) |
| Joel Anthony | C/PF | 2014–2016 (2 s) | 2016–17 (1 s) |
| Chimezie Metu | PF/C | 2023–24 (1 s) | 2018–2020 (2 s) |
| Darrun Hilliard | SG/SF | 2015–2017 (2 s) | 2017–18 (1 s) |
| David Thirdkill | SF/SG | 1983–1985 (2 s) | 1984–85 (1 s) |
| Tracy McGrady | SG/SF | 2010–11 (1 s) | 2012–13 (1 s) |
| Kelly Olynyk | C/PF | 2021–22 (1 s) | 2025–26 (1 s) |
| Mason Plumlee | C | 2020–21 (1 s) | 2025–26 (1 s) |
| Lindy Waters III | SG | 2024–25 (1 s) | 2025–26 (1 s) |
| Stanley Umude | SG/SF | 2022–23 (1 s) | 2025–26 (1 s) |
| David Wood | PF | 1993–94 (1 s) | 1992–93 (1 s) |
| Stephen Bardo | SG | 1995–96 (1 s) | 1991–92 (1 s) |
| Kurt Nimphius | C/PF | 1986–87 (1 s) | 1987–88 (1 s) |
| Anthony Goldwire | PG | 2004–05 (1 s) | 2002–03 (1 s) |
| Steve Hayes | C | 1981–82 (1 s) | 1981–82 (1 s) |
| Jim Johnstone | PF/C | 1982–83 (1 s) | 1982–83 (1 s) |
From English Wikipedia's player infoboxes (CC BY-SA 4.0), BAA/NBA seasons 1946–47 to 2025–26. A season counts when the player's infobox lists it for the franchise; ABA seasons do not count.Pistons seasons include the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957).
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Questions
How many players have played for both the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs?
38, from 1976–77 to 2025–26, including Tracy McGrady, Dennis Rodman, Alvin Robertson and Boban Marjanović. A player counts when his Wikipedia infobox lists at least one NBA season with each franchise.
Who was the first player on this list to play for both?
John Shumate: Detroit Pistons first, then the San Antonio Spurs from 1979–80.
Who has played for both recently?
Kelly Olynyk, Mason Plumlee, Lindy Waters III and Stanley Umude, with a season for one of the two in 2024–25 or 2025–26.
Does a player count if the team has moved or changed its name?
Yes. Seasons count for today's franchise: every old name and city is linked to the club that carries its history today. Pistons seasons include the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957).
Careers from English Wikipedia's player infoboxes (CC BY-SA 4.0); player ids from Wikidata (CC0). Team logos are trademarks of their respective teams; AllStar Grid is not affiliated with the NBA or any team. Logos via TheSportsDB. Credits