NBA Rumors: Why Zach Randolph To the Pistons Should Happen but Won't

Last week there were a few rumors circulating around the Detroit sports pages.

One had the Pistons moving one of their veterans to the Atlanta Hawks for Jamal Crawford (formerly of the University of Michigan).

Another had Detroit zeroing in on the Hawks' Josh Smith.

But the biggest story involved the Memphis Grizzlies parting with Zach Randolph, largely generated by Randolph's apparent interest in returning to Michigan (Randolph played one season for Michigan State).

The first move is laughable at best, and a lateral move for both teams. Crawford is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10 million this season. He is a streaky perimeter scorer that is a perfect fit in Atlanta's system.

Who would Atlanta take for him? Tayshaun Prince? Prince also has an expiring contract at around the same rate. Prince is a better defender but Crawford is a much better scorer, and at the end of the day, that is exactly what Atlanta needs coming off their bench.

The second deal is intriguing for Detroit, but Atlanta would be crazy to deal Smith. The argument is that the Hawks tied too much money into Joe Johnson (true), and they will need to cut some salaries in order to make their payroll more flexible (possibly).

The problem with this logic is that Smith is too valuable and is moderately priced for what he brings to the table. The 25 year old forward is incredibly athletic, plays sound defense and is improving offensively. Add to the mix the fact that his contract will max out at just over $13 million in two years when he is still in his prime. He seems like a logical player to keep around.

The only way that they deal him is if they get blown away by a deal for a stud small forward, draft picks and a young point guard.

Technically, Detroit could make a solid offer for Smith. They could offer Prince, Stuckey and a first rounder. However, Atlanta would then have to shift Al Horford to power forward and plug either Jason Collins or Zaza Pachulia in at center and hope that they were able to get a stud center in the draft.

That being said, it take a lot from Detroit for Smith unless they were able to get some sort of protection on their draft pick.

However, the third and most intriguing deal along the rumor mill circuit involves Indiana native Randolph.

While some Michiganders will no doubt be apprehensive about the idea of the somewhat troubled Randolph returning to the state, it is important to look at what he does on the court.

Randolph would fill the Pistons' most pressing need, a scoring big man with tremendous rebounding ability.

Randolph's game is a perfect fit for Detroit. He can play with his back to the basket and is nearly a career double-double performer, capable of grabbing 20 boards on any particular night (as he did a week ago against Phoenix).

Most importantly, he grabs offensive rebounds like few others can in today's game. With a team that is top heavy at the perimeter, Randolph would extend possessions and make the perfect compliment to Ben Gordon in the inside-outside game.

And amazingly, Randolph wants to come to Detroit!

Granted, his issues off the court and his reported knuckle-head behavior is legendary.

Personally, I can't speak from experience as I have never met the man. But a friend of mine, who is a chef at a local Portland restaurant that Randolph frequents when he is in town, tells me that he is one of the greatest tippers he has ever met and treats his staff with respect.

Given my own background as a bartender through college, this speaks volumes, but that's just me.

Regardless, Randolph has an expiring contract of $17 million that would come off the books after the season. So if the experiment doesn't work, the Pistons could always just let him walk at year's end.

So what would it take to pry Randolph away from the Grizzlies? This is where it gets tricky.

Memphis is not known for their savvy business sense, shelling out ridiculous contracts to Rudy Gay and Mike Conley despite neither being a true star. It is possible that Pistons team president Joe Dumars could fleece them for the talented big man. But given Dumars' own shaky business dealings over the past few years, that might be too much to expect.

Looking at Memphis' roster, there are very few holes to fill. They are set at point guard with Conley, shooting guard with O.J. Mayo, small forward with Gay and center with Marc Gasol. Darrell Arthur would likely move into the power forward spot.

Where they need help is with leadership, bench scoring and depth up front. Therefore, Detroit might be able to package some draft picks along with Charlie Villanueva, Tayshaun Prince and possibly one of their young players.

If it comes down to dealing Greg Monroe, Detroit will have to say no. But DaJuan Summers might be worth parting with.

The real question is whether or not Memphis will require Austin Daye to be part of the deal. Daye has too much raw talent to part with, and therefore Dumars will likely balk at such an idea.

However, if Tracy McGrady can continue to improve, he might be a nice throw in.

So why doesn't this deal stand a chance of happening? It has less to do with Dumars than it does with Owner Karen Davidson. Right now with ownership in flux, it appears that Dumars' hands are tied.

If he appears to mortgage the future to become a solid team now, he will certainly be shown the door when the new owners come in.

Therefore, Dumars' only option is to stay the course and hope that his team continues to pull off improbable victories and stay as close to .500 as possible.

There is a drawback to this plan as well, given that Detroit can not possibly continue to win with this cast. If he continues to stay mum and look the other way while the team struggles, he will be viewed as a lame duck leader which will potentially rob him of his sterling reputation around the league.

So instead of pulling the trigger on a deal that will undoubtedly make this team better today, Dumars will likely sit back and watch his team struggle from night to night.

Of course the team could still salvage this season by giving their young players plenty of opportunities to develop, but given coach John Kuester's schizophrenic rotation, this seems like a long shot as well.

As of now, this seems like a team that is incomplete and struggling for an identity. But until the ownership situation is resolved, the team will likely stay this way.