Changes Expected In Detroit

[Built Ford Tough]

I found these quotes on RealGM message board so I don't have a link. All that was posted with them was saying that they were from the Detroit News.

 

The Pistons had a disappointing season and the clubs top priority via the draft, free agency, or trades is to land a low-post scorer.

 

"We need length and making sure we have a low-post presence," head coach John Kuester told The Detroit News. "No question about it."

 

"We know we have a lot of work ahead of us," Kuester added. "I told the team, 'Don't be accustomed to finishing playing basketball in April.' "

 

Tayshaun Prince, Richard "Rip" Hamilton and Charlie Villanueva are three players president of basketball operations Joe Dumars would like to trade.

 

 

 

Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and the rest of the front office expect to have a busy summer making sure a repeat of the 27-55 record doesn't occur.

 

With that in mind, here's a look at who may or may not return next season.

Not expected back

 

G Rip Hamilton: It's beginning to look like Hamilton's days are numbered. He really doesn't fit the direction of the team. He's more effective in the half-court game, but there will be a push to increase the tempo next season to take advantage of the talents of the younger players. With three seasons left on the extension he signed last season, it will be tough to move him, but not impossible. An Eastern Conference executive told me recently he still has value and the Celtics have been kicking the tires for the past year. The Pistons may have to take a bad contract in return.

 

F Tayshaun Prince: There would be worse fates than to keep a motivated Prince playing for a new contract next season as his contract expires next summer. But of the big deals on the Pistons, he will have the most trade value because of that expiring deal and a solid second half. If the Pistons want to get serious about rebuilding, they probably will have to part with Prince.

 

F Jason Maxiell: He had a solid season, but looked a bit heavy when he returned from a late-season back injury. His $5-million salary could be instrumental in making salaries match in any potential deal.

 

C Kwame Brown: He becomes an unrestricted free agent July 1 and there's little chance he returns.

 

G Chucky Atkins: He wants to play again, but it's doubtful the free agent will return.

 

The only player listed here that I think would have any real value in a trade would be Tayshaun Prince. He is a good defender, great when motivated, can contribute offensively with his ability to hit shots, post up and play a bit of a facilitating role as well.

 

Best case scenario for a team trading for Prince is that they get the great two way player that he was when the Pistons were among the league's elite.

Worst case scenario for a team trading for Prince is that he sucks next season and they simply let him expire at the end of the season.

 

I think that trading for Prince would be worth the gamble if a team is looking to acquire a defensive 3 who can chip in on offense as well.

 

As for the rest of the people mentioned, I don't see them getting much of anything. If they move Hamitlon, they will have to take on an equally bad contract in return without getting anything of value. Same can be said of Charlie V.

 

If you were Joe Dumars, what kind of approach would you take to this offseason? Last season he took a lot of heat for handing out inflated contracts to players who simply didn't look like they would fit on the team, and skeptics were proven right after this year. He definitely has some work to do this offseason if he is going to fix the mess that he created last year.

[Poe]

I'd blow up the whole team and maybe even tank, only because they don't have any kind of core whatsoever. Gordon, Charlie V, Rip, and Tayshaun would be the first out on my trade list. Rip and Tayshaun due to their age, and Gordon and CV because they aren't good core pieces for a successful team IMO.

 

The only players I'd look to keep are Jerebko and Daye, and neither are solid starters unless they are 5th guys.

[Check my Stats]

Maybe tank? Tanking is their only option as far as I can see. Right now they are the only team without a guy who has all-star potential or is an all star, besides the Raptors in a couple months .

 

I wouldn't look to keep anyone, no one on that team is a core piece and all are complimentary players at best. Tank, get a top 5 pick, and start over... it will take a while but the Thunder show that losing badly for 2-3 or maybe even 4 years is for the best long term, while it my hurt short term, it is the best way to build a team, rather than a the quick fix approach used last season.

[Poe]

^ Bargnani, Weems, and DeRozan are a much better young core than anything the Pistons have. At least in my opinion.

[Check my Stats]

I guess, at best all our players are 2nd rate prospects either way, same with the Pistons.... you don't win in this day and age without all-stars unless you have LBJ/Wade/Kobe/D12 and that is it.

[Legacy]

Signing Ben Gordon and Charlie V were mistakes, imo. I think you should try to get your franchise player before you go out and sign supporting players. They were both overpaid as well. You already have Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince for those positions also. I see the Pistons roster as the messiest right now. They need to make some trades happen this off-season and clean up.

[Lone Wolf]

Jefferson for Prince + their pick. Please. Thanks.

[MainEv3nt]

i wouldnt mind having stuckey, rip, prince, or gordon off they team.

 

well maybe not gordon contract lmao.