Atlanta — Luka Garza and Chris Smith place towels in front of each veteran’s locker. Jamorko Pickett carries big equipment bags in from the team bus. Even No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham isn’t exempt from rookie duties.
All of them are supposed to carry custom pink backpacks, with a blinged-out unicorn on the back.
It’s like college rush week, but it lasts all season for NBA rookies. Each team has its own particular spin on the tradition, and for the Pistons, the veterans have a simple set of tasks for their first-year players.
The requests could range from ordering and picking up dinner before boarding the flight for the next city, or late-night runs to get snacks.