The 2000–01 NBA season was the Pistons' 60th season as a franchise, the 53rd in the National Basketball Association, and the 44th in the Detroit area. Just a little over a year after his final game, Pistons legend Joe Dumars was put in charge of rebuilding. During the offseason, the Pistons signed free agent Joe Smith, and acquired Ben Wallace and second-year guard Chucky Atkins from the Orlando Magic. Other acquisitions included Cedric Ceballos, Dana Barros and John Wallace from the Dallas Mavericks, and Billy Owens from the Milwaukee Bucks. However, Ceballos was traded to the Miami Heat later on during the season, as the Pistons acquired Corliss Williamson in exchange for Jerome Williams and Eric Montross in a midseason trade with the Toronto Raptors.

One key piece to the team's future appeared to be Jerry Stackhouse, who had a stellar season averaging 29.8 points per game while being selected for the 2001 NBA All-Star Game. However, the Pistons struggled finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 32–50 record. Following the season, Smith re-signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach George Irvine was fired, rookie Mateen Cleaves was traded to the Sacramento Kings, John Wallace was dealt along with Jud Buechler to the Phoenix Suns, and Owens retired.

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