The Pistons owned the No. 2 pick in the 1966 NBA Draft and selected Dave Bing, a 6-3 guard who became one of the top scorers in franchise history. He was NBA Rookie of the Year in 1966-67, the only Pistons player ever to receive that honor. It was the start of a career that would end in the Hall of Fame.

Toward the end of the 1966-67 season, with Detroit laboring at 28-45, Dave DeBusschere was replaced as coach by Donnie Butcher, and the team went 2-6 for the remainder of the schedule.

The 1967-68 team averaged 118.6 points, an all-time Pistons record, and moved to the Eastern Division as expansion teams in Seattle and San Diego were added in the west. Bing burned the nets for a league-leading 27.1 points per game and joined DeBusschere in the All-Star Game. Bing was also named to the All-NBA First Team.

Detroit ran up a 40-42 record and made the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. However, the Pistons faced a powerful Boston Celtics team in the division semifinals and were dispatched in six games.

The 1968-69 campaign yielded a 32-50 record and saw Butcher replaced by Paul Seymour early in the season. Bing continued his sensational play, averaging 23.4 points and 7.1 assists and making his second straight All-Star appearance. DeBusschere was traded to the Knicks on December 19, 1968, for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komives.

Butch van Breda Kolff was brought in as coach for the 1969-70 season. The Pistons posted a typical 31-51 record, led by Bing's 22.9 points per game.