Former UConn Huskies Reunite In Detroit

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Detroit Pistons have agree to sign former Bulls guard Ben Gordon and former Bucks forward Charlie Villianueva. Gordon will be getting $55 million over five years while Villianueva gets $35 million over five years.

Could these two players bring a ring back to Detroit?

I don't know, but the last time these two players were on the same team, they won the 2004 NCAA Championship with UConn. The Pistons last won a title in 2004 and the last time Detroit acquired a versatile power forward (Rasheed Wallace), they won the NBA Championship.

Could that really spell a championship for the Pistons?

Pistons Probable Lineup

PG—Stuckey

SG—Hamilton

SF—Prince

PF—Villianueva

C—Brown

Key Reserves

SG—Gordon

C—Oberto

SG—Afflalo

PG—Bynum

I'm sure that the Pistons aren't done this offseason as they attempt to re-sign forward Antoino McDyess. I could really see Detriot possibly getting the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference as it stands right now.

In other news, the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to trade power forward Zach Randolph to the Memphis Grizzles for Quentin Richardson. This trade allows the Clippers to put the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Blake Griffin, in the starting lineup and gives an expiring contract so they free up some cap space in 2010.

The Grizzles get an All-Star caliber player in Randolph to improve their team and possibly contend for a playoff spot.

I believe this was a steal for the Memphis Grizzles.

They get a player who can get you 20 points per game and they will add him in a lineup with Thabeet, Gay, Mayo and Conley. You have a great young core that can win 30 to 35 games right now and could contend for a playoff spot in the 2010-11 season.

I understand why the Clippers made the trade but they could have got a better deal. Quentin Richardson returns to Clippers and he gives them great shooting and depth at the wing positions.

Clippers Probable Lineup

PG—Davis

SG—Gordon

SF—Thornton

PF—Griffin

C—Camby

Key Reserves

C—Kaman

SF—Richardson

SF—Novak

Grizzles Probable Lineup

PG—Conley

SG—Mayo

SF—Gay

PF—Randolph

C—Thabeet

Key Reserves

C—Gasol

SF—Young

PF—Warrick

On June 25, the Orlando Magic traded shooting guard Courtney Lee, point guard Rafer Alston and forward/center Tony Battie for shooting guard Vince Carter and forward Ryan Anderson. This trade pretty much closes the door for Hedo Turkoglu in Orlando for next season.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Toronto Raptors seem have lots of interest in Hedo.

If he goes to Toronto, he can help turn that team into a possible second round team in the East. He'll bring his great shooting as well as his ability to create shots for himself and others. He'll take pressure off of Bosh and DeRozan plus giving the Raptors that second scorer that Marion and O'Neal was unable to give them last season.

Toronto Probable Lineup (if they sign Turkoglu)

PG—Calderon

SG—DeRozan

SF—Turkoglu

PF—Bosh

C—Bargnani

Key Reserves

PF—Evans

SG—Graham

PG—Banks

Going to Portland may be a perfect fit for Turkoglu.

They could use another scorer to help out Roy and Aldridge. He can help Aldridge get easier shot attempts with his play-making ability. He can take some of the pressure off of Roy in the clutch and can take the ball out of Steve Blake's hands in crucial situations (Roy can also do this). He can create lots of match-up problems for the elite Western Conference teams (like the Spurs, Lakers, Rockets, Mavericks, Nuggets, Hornets, etc.) with his incredible size, ability to score off the dribble and ability to drive to the rim.

Portland Probable Lineup

PG—Blake

SG—Roy

SF—Turkoglu

PF—Aldridge

C—Oden

Key Reserves

C—Przybilla

SF—Outlaw

SG—Fernandez

SF—Batum

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