The NBL continues to lose talent to the BAA prompting talk of a merger. Among the people leading the calls for a merger is Pistons Owner Fred Zollner. The Zollner Pistons would go on to finish in third place with a record of 40-20. In the playoffs, the Zollner Pistons would once again be taken out by the Rochester Royals who were their first-round series in four games. Following the season the Pistons would be one of four teams, along with the Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals, and Indianapolis Jets to join the BAA as the first step of a merger between the two leagues was initiated.

Joining the BAA the Pistons are starting over again as they drop the Zollner from their nickname. However, Fred Zollner remained a virtual part of the development of the league as he helps provide transportation arrangements for the entire league. In their first year in the BAA, the Pistons would struggle to finish in fifth place in the Western Division with a record of 22-38, missing the playoffs. Following the season five more NBL teams would join the league, which would be rechristened the NBA as the merger was completed.