10 Moves This Pistons Might Explore This Offseason

With Rasheed Wallace’s contract up and Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince both heavily linked to trade rumors, it looks like the official end of the “Bad Boys II” era in Detroit.

With that in mind, plus the end of the Allen Iverson experiment (not a moment too soon) means the Detroit Pistons are looking to re-tool. There are a lot of options for this team to get younger and back to prominence in the east.

Here are players and moves that Detroit might explore this offseason.

1. Sign Ben Gordon

The addition of Ben Gordon has become the most talked about rumor in Detroit as Sam Smith of NBA.Com recently reported that the Pistons might have promised Gordon $11 million.

While this may seem high to pay for him (especially since no other team will likely give him more than $10 million in the NBA), Gordon probably used some foreign interest to drive up the cost.

Gordon’s addition would undoubtedly bring the subtraction of Rip Hamilton since both are shooting guards. This would also put an end to the speculation that Detroit sees Rodney Stuckey as anything other than a point guard (More on this point later).

While some may question the Pistons would replace Hamilton with a player who essentially gives up as many points as he gets, but remember, as good of a mid-range shooter as Hamilton is, he struggles on the wing and still only posses a mediocre-at-best 3-point shot.

Gordon can create his own shot and spot shoot, which would allow Stuckey to pass out to Gordon when he decides to charge the lane.

The more time passes, the more likely this deal becomes. The Pistons will have some of the most cap space in the league this offseason and are looking to add a scorer.

2. Carlos Boozer opts out and signs

This might be the most talked about move outside of Gordon. The is heavy speculation that Boozer will opt out of his contract and is looking to either sign with Detroit or be part of a sign and trade to New Jersey.

I will say this now, despite being a 20/10 guy, I personally do not want him; I will not go on a tirade if we get him, but I do not think it’s the best move for now or the future.

First, the positives. Boozer would add a rebounding presence that the Pistons have lacked since the Ben Wallace days and unlike Wallace, can become a difference maker on the offensive end as well.

If the Pistons were to find a center, so Boozer can play power forward, that would make him most effective and deadly on both ends.

Now, why I do not want him. His health (like many big men) has never been that good, and signing him would only guarantee having him at full strength for about 60-70 percent of the season, which is not bad, unless that other 30 percent is around playoff time.

Next, for as good of a rebounder he is, his man defense leaves a lot to be desired. He is not scary to the Dwight Howard's or the Kevin Garnett's of the east.

The Pistons WOULD HAVE TO find a true center still and the worst part is, Boozer is looking for a big payday. The Pistons do have the money to sign him, but will be closing in on 30, and would probably deteriorate as time passes on his long term deal.

Ultimately, signing him would be good for about two years and then we would have a problem trying to move his big contract.

Still, he is only an option if he decides to opt out come June 30th, or this whole argument is moot.

3. Trade Tayshaun Prince

Like I said, this article is about player additions AND MOVES the team might make, and this is a possible move.

Although I will get more specific as to whom the Pistons might bring in, the fact is, Tayshaun looks to be halfway out. He is due to make $10 Million next season and has another year on his contract after that. Sure it would make sense for the Pistons to keep him one more year and use him as an expiring contract to trade next offseason, but with the free agent class coming next year, every team will be looking to sign players rather than trade for them. With that said, the Pistons would love to be players in that derby next offseason (more on that later) and trading Prince now might help them do that.

If they trade Prince for a cheep young player (think Chris Kaman) that would allow the Pistons to play this year and still have money to spend next summer.

So you don’t feel like you have déjà-vu, I will throw the Trade Rap Hamilton section here too. Hamilton is older than Prince, but is still coveted as a superb mid-range shooter.

I’m sure the “Blake Griffin” era Clippers would love to add either player to improve.

4. Get Chris Kaman

Like I previously mentioned, the Pistons need a center. And Kaman would be a great addition to the team. He is a native Michigander, provides great defense and offense, and can come in for the cost of Tayshaun Prince (If you can’t tell, I am really pushing this deal).

His injury history is what makes him a risk, but by adding Kaman (unlike Boozer), the Pistons would have the flexibility to sign Chris Bosh or Amare Stoudemire. Kaman should be available because of the Clippers getting the first pick, which they will ultimately use on Blake Griffin.

Add them to a frontcourt of Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph, something’s gotta’ give. The Clippers would love to move Randolph, but lets face it, no team in their right mind would take on that contract (aside from the old Knicks and…well…the Clippers).

5. The Summer of 2010

Just a quick review, for those of you who do not know, the summer or 2010 is being touted as the year when money will fall from the sky, if you’re an NBA superstar.

From LeBron, to Wade, to Bosh and so on, there should be a plethora of talent available. That said, the Pistons would love to have some money to be major players that year too.

While the lore of a LeBron James might have some fans hope that we pursue, lets be realistic, if LeBron is going to leave Cleveland, he is going to a large market city (see: New York).

Wade is unlikely as well since he and Stuckey basically have the same skill set. Bosh, however, comes into play.

He is the PF/C that Detroit so desperately needs. He can do it all, and would be a welcome addition to the team.

However, to all the fans counting down to the point where he becomes available, remember there is still a season to play. This works two ways. The first is the Pistons still need players for the team for next year, so if they do eye Bosh, they will have to find some cheap players to hold them over (one more plug for Chris Kaman…).

The other is as time ticks away, the Raptors know that chance they will loose Bosh for nothing increases, thus the chance they will trade him does as well.

This could be the Pistons undoing if they eye Bosh, and make moves with Bosh in mind, and then he is traded to a contender and decides to stay, because then the Pistons are empty handed, and back to the drawing board.

6. The Pistons pursue Chris Paul

Realistically, the Hornets will not trade their “City” (more important than franchise) player, no matter how much money they are looking to shed. But a deal like that would mean a lot about where the Pistons are headed.

Unless the Pistons can land a Paul, or a top ranked PG fall to them in the draft, then the Pistons will allow Rodney Stuckey to continue to develop as a true point.

Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are the only real trade pieces the Pistons possess, and even if you throw in the No. 15 pick, it is hard to imagine the Pistons pulling off Paul.

So with that said, there is really only one place the Pistons can upgrade the point position….

7. The Draft

The Pistons own the 15th pick, and there is a wide range or options the Pistons have. The draft will be a tell as to what the Pistons’ grand plan is.

If the Pistons take BJ Mullens (C- Ohio St), scratch Kaman off the list and prepare for Boozer. The Pistons would ultimately showing the league they are not trying to get into the 2010 debate and are looking to build around Mullens, not Bosh.

If the Pistons take Flynn (PG- Syracuse), Jennings (PG-USA Born), Teague (PG- Wake Forrest), or Holiday (Combo Guard-UCLA) then say bye bye to Ben Gordon.

The Pistons got good productions out of Will Bynum last season and are not looking to add a back up PG. The addition of any of these names would mean that Stuckey would be moved to shooting guard and the backcourt would be set.

If the Pistons take DeJuan Blair (PF- Pittsburg) it would kill the Boozer rumors, but would ramp up the rumors of another Utah player coming to Detroit.

8. Detroit signs Mehmet Okur

Okur is no stranger to Detroit after winning a ring here. He is likely to opt out of his deal to receive a heftier payday, and would likely be in play if the Pistons are looking to sign a center more than a power forward. He is tough and talented, but often gets lost in games.

Here are some other free agents that the Pistons might consider…

9. David Lee

The Rumor mill has already started with Lee. He is a restricted free agent and the Knicks will likely trade him for some future cap relief rather than re-sign him.

He is young, athletic, and can be dominant at times, the only problem is that the Pistons will likely have to give something up to get him (ie Amir Johnson’s expiring contract).

Lee has a fair chance of becoming a Piston.

10. Ron Artest

It would be newsworthy move. The man who punched some Detroit fans playing for the team. As odd as it might sound, Artest would fill in the SF spot nicely if we trade Prince and the fan would probably embrace him due to his defensive toughness.

He would become a really good option if the Pistons do sign Ben Gordon, because Gordon’s defensive deficiencies would be made up for by Artest. Keep an eye on this one…