5 Questions Facing the Detroit Pistons This Offseason

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

It was a rough season for the Detroit Pistons. 

The team underwent a series of changes including a new Coach and a blockbuster trade that sent team star Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Allen Iverson. 

With chemistry problems and numerous injuries Detroit missed going to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in six years and ended up being swept in the first round of the playoffs by Lebron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers.

After having been a Powerhouse in the East since their surprising 2004 Championship year, it was a shock to see the Pistons struggle this season.  Now in this off-season team GM Joe Dumars has a number of questions facing him.  These are just five of the most pressing ones:

5.  Has this Pistons team finally reached their limit?  Is it time to rebuild from the ground floor up?

The aging Pistons team had begun to show some wear and tear over the last couple of seasons with veterans Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince struggling in the playoffs.  They both were non-existent in the series against Cleveland. 

Richard Hamilton and Antonio McDyess have continued to play at a high level but wasn't enough to help Detroit advance.

Over the last couple of seasons Dumars has begun to bring in some young talent like Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum who are guaranteed to be the team's future but the question is whether or not he should ditch all of his veterans and start from scratch.

I think that the team needs to bring in some more young talent but I would like to see Hamilton stay on in the role that Dumars played on the team after the Bad Boy years:  the talented veteran who helps mold the younger talent.

4.  Should the Pistons make a strong attempt to keep Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess?

Both Wallace and McDyess are free agents this Summer and will be looking for the best deal available.  The Pistons have the cap room to give them the money they'll be looking for but is either player worth it?

Since Wallace came to the team in '04 Detroit has sunk or swim based on his play.  On nights when he is energetic and scoring the team usually wins and on nights when he seems to disappear and can't score a basket the team usually loses.

Wallace's poor play is a large factor in the Pistons poor playoff performance this year and has been a issue in past post season play.  His numerous technicals have also hurt the team in key moments.

On the other hand, McDyess has been key in keeping the Pistons afloat.  Despite his age, he continues to play his heart out every night on both ends of the floor. 

After the Pistons traded McDyess to Denver, he turned down other offers and took a pay cut to return to Detroit despite the fact that he could have gone to a winning team.

In the end, I think Dumars should let Wallace go and make an attempt to keep McDyess.  Wallace is past his prime and has become a hindrance to the team while McDyess can still play at a top level and brings a sense of urgency to the team when he is on the floor.

3.  Can Detroit continue to win without a major superstar?  Who should they draft/trade for this Summer?

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