Detroit Pistons: Why the Pistons Should Keep Ben Wallace

It still seems like just yesterday when I was watching an underrated Detroit Pistons team of Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace win the 2004 NBA title.

About eight years later, the only players left from that championship roster are Tayshaun Prince and none other than Big Ben himself, but he has run around the league since then as well. Suiting up for both the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Big Ben's skills have dropped off considerably since his championship days, but he's still a former four-time Defensive Player of the Year, a feat that should never be overlooked. 

But, at this point, the veteran big man appears to be out of his job with his former team, after pondering retirement for a bit.

According to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons aren't very likely to bring Wallace back on board for the upcoming NBA season. 

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The Pistons roster is full now, a trade could free-up a spot. But if you look at the roster, the Pistons are top-heavy and are in the market for improving the backcourt. But let's look at this philosophically. Do you really want Wallace around with a roster spot when you have all this youth begging to play? And they let go a young guy (Vernon Macklin) they liked recently mostly because of the number game. IMO, it really wouldn't make sense.

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While it's logical for the Pistons to pass on bringing back a veteran player who's far past his prime, it could also be a good move if solely for the locker room presence and leadership. 

Think about it. The Pistons have probably one of the youngest rosters in the league with key contributors most likely being Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond, Jonas Jerebko, and Rodney Stuckey. The oldest player on that list is Stuckey, who's a five-year pro. 

While Prince is the respected veteran, Monroe and Drummond could learn a lot from the defensive stalwart Wallace. If anything, the Pistons could get rid of disappointing Charlie Villanueva to make a little more room for Big Ben.

But would the Pistons really do that for Big Ben or would they just use that spot for another player who could contribute at a higher level? Probably the latter.

But still, Wallace's accomplishments should never be overlooked in Detroit. The Pistons need to at least consider bringing back the veteran for one more stint with his championship team.

In the end, it's unlikely to see Wallace anywhere but Detroit. If not there, it's more than likely the center will retire.