Detroit Pistons: 3 Reasons Joe Dumars Should Stay on as General Manager

Joe Dumars was the catalyst of the turnaround for the Detroit Pistons in the early 2000s. Dumars earned the label of a risk-taker after some notable trades, drafts and signings during his term.

Some questionable decisions turned into genius moves on the part of Dumars. Moves like trading Grant Hill for Ben Wallace/Chucky Atkins, swapping Jerry Stackhouse for Richard Hamilton and completing the 2004 championship team by acquiring Rasheed Wallace.

However, Dumars' resume is still filled with head-scratching decisions that haven't panned out as expected, especially in recent years. Drafting Austin Daye in 2009 hasn't worked out. Nor has overspending on Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon. Worst of all could have been trading Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson.

Dumars has been hot and cold throughout his term as the Pistons general manager. As Detroit continues to struggle while rebuilding, an instant eye test would say Dumars has overstayed his welcome. But after taking a step back, there are more reasons to keep Dumars on board instead of letting him walk from his team.

Here are three reasons Joe Dumars should stay on as the Detroit Pistons general manager.

1. Draft Improvement

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The majority of success from Joe Dumars during his reign as general manager has come through trades and free agency. In fact, the majority of the 2004 championship roster was full of players who weren't drafted as Detroit Pistons.

Dumars has had his fair share of flops in the draft with players like Darko Milicic, Rodney White, Austin Daye and Mateen Cleaves. Not as an excuse, but due to the success of building a championship team through trades and free agency, Dumars never learned the importance of the draft. Luckily, there have been vast steps of progression in the track record of Dumars lately.

The Pistons have struck gold drafting foundation players like Brandon Knight, Rodney Stuckey, Jonas Jerebko and Greg Monroe. All play vital roles on this team, and will only improve in the coming years.

The credit of bringing these players in goes to Dumars. How soon they will reach their potential and play up to their capabilities is up to them.

2. Lawrence Frank

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In recent years, Joe Dumars addressed the most important positions that had been lacking for years. Drafting Brandon Knight at point guard, and Greg Monroe as a reliable big man. However, the most important position in recent memory was head coach.

Michael Curry never connected during his year run as coach, and players refused to show up for practice under John Keuster. Dumars has finally found a coach who commands respect and effort from his players in Lawrence Frank.

Frank has helped create a new energy around the Pistons locker room, along with a winning attitude that has been missing for years. As this young team continues to grow and improve, Frank will keep stride in rebuilding the Pistons franchise.

3. Better Team Basketball

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The Detroit Pistons are still a few years away from serious playoff contention, but have made very visible improvements with their team play. For a good portion after signing Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon, the Pistons just looked like a group of players competing with the same jerseys instead of playing as a real team.

Dumars has assembled a young roster of talent with a very bright future. Players like Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe will need to keep getting better year by year.

Tayshaun Prince was re-signed on a four-year-deal for veteran leadership and production. Jonas Jerebko and Ben Gordon bring a much-needed spark off the bench. And Rodney Stuckey solidifies the Pistons backcourt as a quality scoring shooting guard.

This offseason could potentially be a make-or-break season for Dumars. The Pistons could use an upgrade in the frontcourt at power forward, and could find that player in the draft or through free agency.

Regardless of which route is taken, Dumars must be a winner this summer to validate himself as a legitimate general manager in the NBA.