A clearer picture of the off season / Your new plan?

[GooseDiddy]

So, with the news (or rumor) that SVG will NOT be bringing Monroe back; what is your new off season plan?

[Clarity]

If were going to run the Dwight Orlando system the only players that fit that system on our roster to put around Drummond are KCP, Singler, Jonas & Jorts.

Would need to be a complete overhaul, if we are committed to playing through Drummond though I would be fine with it.

[Neptune]

Man, I'm done. I thought SVG would come here and continue Piston-type basketball. I'm a huge Drummond fan and all, but we use to beat the Magic all the time and now we're about to turn into a Magic-like team. This guy SVG is already making me lose interest.

[Natopher]

My offseason plan assuming Monroe will be gone (this is in no particular order as to what I think is most important or the chronological order in which this things will happen)

1A) Sign Trevor Ariza - Great 3&D player, would fit great on the perimeter as he can absolutely rain 3's

1B) Sign Luol Deng - If we can't get Ariza, my next pick would be Deng who's the same player except better D and worse 3

2) S&T Monroe for Ryan Anderson and Anthony Morrow - If we're going to lose Monroe, I think this trade makes a lot of sense. NO frees up cap and can move Davis to his natural PF position. Anderson would be a great 3 point threat to have off the bench or as a starter (should we trade Smith). Morrow gives us another great 3 point shooter, he'd be a great backup to KCP (or a starter if KCPs shot isn't up to par next year). This trade also allows Moose to play for his hometown team which is another bonus (great guy, deserves to play for his friends and family).

3) Decline the team options for Billups and Siva - Based on his injury problems last year, I'd say it's pretty clear that his career is over. As for Siva, I actually really like him and think he could potentially become a very solid backup PG in the league, but this team needs too much help for him to keep a roster spot right now.

4) Accept the team options of Datome, Mitchell and Harrellson - Originally I had Datome as a decline, but his contract is relatively cheap and if Van Gundy can get his best then he would be another 3 point threat which we can't really turn down. Harrellson showed some great potential last year when he got playing time, and he's payed <1M so he's a no brainer to resign, and I'd like to see what Mitchell can do.

5) Draft Smart - I'm going to be as realistic as I can here (keep pick, don't move up). I've liked Smart for a while. I think he could be a very good PG in this league when he reaches his potential, and in the meantime he'd be a better backup for Jennings than Bynum.

Then to round out the roster we'd just need to sign a backup C (in case Harrellson isn't fit to be our backup). With this we become:

Jennings/Smart/Bynum
KCP/Marrow
Ariza/Singler/Datome
Smith/Anderson/Jerebko/Mitchell
Drummond/Free Agent/Harrellson

[The Penguin]

S&T Monroe for a future 1st

Draft Vonleh

Sign Stephenson and construct an offer for Gordon Hayward that would make it tough for Utah to match.


Jennings/Bynum/Siva
Stephenson/KCP/Singler
Hayward/Datome/Mitchell
Smith/Vonleh/Jerebko
Drummond/Harrellson


Orlando was built off of Nelson & Hedo being able to run pick & rolls with Dwight and having shooters around them. Jennings-Lance-Hayward all have the ability to be the ball handler in a P&R situation. We'd be pretty young yet talented enough to make noise in the East and should be a playoff team this year. Vonleh would be a nice pick, he's shown the ability to shoot (filling the Rashard Lewis role) and would give us the option of dumping Smith when he's an expiring and Vonleh is ready to take the starter minutes. Jennings-Lance-KCP could be an interesting 3 guard rotation as both Lance and Hayward have shown enough play making ability we could get by with them in the game without a true pg.

[Clarity]

S&T Monroe for a future 1st

Draft Vonleh

Vonleh cant shoot either, in an Dwight Orlando system we need a PF who can shoot three's, who spends 95% of his time on the perimeter & can kill you from there.

[Ghost]

Okay, I'm not going to give a real plan here. I just wanted to post to run through some things quickly. If we're not going to keep Monroe, I'd at least like to trade him for a draft pick this draft .. even if it's not that great of a pick.


Draft:
I'm very unsure about the Marcus Smart draft pick suggestions. I like his intangibles, he's obviously a fiery guy that brings a lot of passion and goes hard ... at the same time, his jumpshot didn't really improve this second season. I find it hard to imagine SVG drafting a guard like that unless he believes he can fix his shot or somehow improve it.
Two players in this draft that will probably fall in the 15-25 range, Shabazz Napier and Adreian Payne, just really stick out in my mind if we're talking about system guys for SVG. Noah Vonleh is someone in Detroit's lotto range that may look very appealing next to Drummond. If SVG could move both Monroe and Smith out of town for shooters and drafted Vonleh to be the new PF that would be extremely interesting. I don't know about Vonleh's footspeed, but he's been hyped as a good rebounder who can stretch the floor and he has a massive wingspan which means he could end up being a decent defender at some point.
If SVG believes that KCP can start and defend against SFs that could be very interesting and put a change in plans as well. Then we could look at the shooting guards in the draft range which may include guys like LaVine, Harris, or Stauskas.

RFA:
I'm sticking with thinking that PJ Tucker (PHX) might be a nice steal in RFA, he'll probably go for cheaper than Trevor Ariza and he's a nice 3/D guy. I'd be terribly worried about giving Lance Stephenson a big contract, I'm almost certain some low team will throw a max or near max deal at him... and he seems like he loses control of his emotions at times and doesn't play with the highest basketball IQ. At the same time, stealing a guy from Indiana would be great if he ended up playing great for us! Hayward is a high basketball IQ from what I remember but he has athletic limitations. Maybe being on a team where he is not like "the guy" would be a great thing for him so he could worry about just getting in position to make good basketball plays and take the good shots that are created by ball movement/driving/post up attempts.

[The Penguin]

S&T Monroe for a future 1st

Draft Vonleh

Vonleh cant shoot either, in an Dwight Orlando system we need a PF who can shoot three's, who spends 95% of his time on the perimeter & can kill you from there.

I know it's small sample size but he shot nearly 50% from three at Indiana last year and there's plenty of videos of him hitting from the perimeter online. Considering his age I think it's much better odds he can be a stretch 4 than Gordon or Randle.

[Clarity]

S&T Monroe for a future 1st

Draft Vonleh

Vonleh cant shoot either, in an Dwight Orlando system we need a PF who can shoot three's, who spends 95% of his time on the perimeter & can kill you from there.

I know it's small sample size but he shot nearly 50% from three at Indiana last year and there's plenty of videos of him hitting from the perimeter online. Considering his age I think it's much better odds he can be a stretch 4 than Gordon or Randle.

Fair enough but our 4 in an Orlando system would need to be a deadly. Vonleh is probably not the best choice.

[greg4012]

I don't think SVG is simply going to try to mimic what he did in Orlando. He just sees Drummond as a centerpiece, and wants to maximize the roster based on its strengths.

IMO that means not bringing Monroe back because his game overlaps with Drummond (as Monroe isn't a real PF) and neither maximize their ability when on the floor together.

PLUS, Josh Smith's value is at a low right now, so it's not the time to try to trade him, rather to put him in a better situation and get better contribution out of him. This means utilizing his strengths:
- playing him at PF
- Minimizing his 3 point shooting (2010 was by far his most efficient season. That season he only shot 7 3 pointers all year)
- Making him work as part of an offensive and defensive system (don't leave it up to him to make bball decisions)
- Maximize his defensive versatility and defensive playmaking

I think this can be done by doing heavy PnR offense with both Drummond and Smith. Everyone else on the floor should be a floor spacing 3-point threat.

[The Penguin]

Vonleh cant shoot either, in an Dwight Orlando system we need a PF who can shoot three's, who spends 95% of his time on the perimeter & can kill you from there.

I know it's small sample size but he shot nearly 50% from three at Indiana last year and there's plenty of videos of him hitting from the perimeter online. Considering his age I think it's much better odds he can be a stretch 4 than Gordon or Randle.

Fair enough but our 4 in an Orlando system would need to be a deadly. Vonleh is probably not the best choice.

I don't know the SVG is going to try and turn us into "Orlando North". I think he's smart enough to understand his talent and adapt a system to fit to it. Since he had Dwight and Smith signed Lewis it fit best for them to play the "1 in - 4 out". He said as much at the Sloan conference, that stat heads miss the point when it comes to the thinking teams should only shoot 3's or shots at the rim and a team should play to it's strengths. Drummond has all the potential in the world but he's not there yet as a back to the basket low post player. I really wouldn't be surprised if Stan kept Monroe around and played only two of Drummond-Monroe-Smith at a time or I wouldn't be surprised if he blew the whole thing up to rebuild solely around Drummond. For the first time in years our FO isn't in the position where they feel the need to slap bandaids on things, anything is in play.

[Clarity]

I don't think SVG is simply going to try to mimic what he did in Orlando. He just sees Drummond as a centerpiece, and wants to maximize the roster based on its strengths.

IMO that means not bringing Monroe back because his game overlaps with Drummond (as Monroe isn't a real PF) and neither maximize their ability when on the floor together.

PLUS, Josh Smith's value is at a low right now, so it's not the time to try to trade him, rather to put him in a better situation and get better contribution out of him. This means utilizing his strengths:
- playing him at PF
- Minimizing his 3 point shooting (2010 was by far his most efficient season. That season he only shot 7 3pointers all year)
- Making him work as part of an offensive and defensive system (don't leave it up to him to make bball decisions)
- Maximize his defensive versatility and defensive playmaking

I think this can be done by doing heavy PnR offense with both Drummond and Smith. Everyone else on the floor should be a floor spacing 3-point threat.

in 09/10 Josh took 610 shots inside of 5 feet but still 388 Shots outside of 5 feet shooting those at a crisp 29%.
in 10/11 Josh took 402 shots inside of 5 feet & 637 shots outside of 5 feet shooting those at a cool 35%.

This whole myth that Josh is different on offense at the 4 is funny, shows really how many folks never saw him play before this year. That might explain some of the confusing excitement when we signed him last Summer.

[Clarity]

I don't know the SVG is going to try and turn us into "Orlando North". I think he's smart enough to understand his talent and adapt a system to fit to it. Since he had Dwight and Smith signed Lewis it fit best for them to play the "1 in - 4 out". He said as much at the Sloan conference, that stat heads miss the point when it comes to the thinking teams should only shoot 3's or shots at the rim and a team should play to it's strengths. Drummond has all the potential in the world but he's not there yet as a back to the basket low post player. I really wouldn't be surprised if Stan kept Monroe around and played only two of Drummond-Monroe-Smith at a time or I wouldn't be surprised if he blew the whole thing up to rebuild solely around Drummond. For the first time in years our FO isn't in the position where they feel the need to slap bandaids on things, anything is in play.

I think the best plan of action is obviously building around Drummond & Monroe. They are deadly together in that high low & eventually Monroe could be a hell of a sidekick to Drummond & whichever wing becomes our go to guy.

I do think there needs to be forced development of Drummond on the court. He should take no less than 15 shots per game next year. He has enough of a back to the basket game for us to start going to him regularly on post ups & the only way he really takes the next step is by getting game reps. He is our future so there is zero reason to not implement this immediately.

If we make a concerted effort to get the ball to Drummond via post ups & easy buckets we will be a light years better team & he could be starting for the East in the All Star Game next year, his numbers & impact could be jaw dropping.

[greg4012]

in 09/10 Josh took 610 shots inside of 5 feet but still 388 Shots outside of 5 feet shooting those at a crisp 29%.
in 10/11 Josh took 402 shots inside of 5 feet & 637 shots outside of 5 feet shooting those at a cool 35%.

This whole myth that Josh is different on offense at the 4 is funny, shows really how many folks never saw him play before this year. That might explain some of the confusing excitement when we signed him last Summer.

I actually am not a Pistons fan, so I saw him play moreso before his time with Detroit (he faced the HEAT in the playoffs numerous times).

The idea about Josh being better at the 4 is exactly for the reasons you stated -- he is very inefficient away from the basket. Playing him at the 3 means he is more likely to spend time away from the basket. Playing him at the 3 with a 4 and a 5 that don't spread the floor means that there is less room for him to get to the basket, and its harder for him to operate around the basket. That's why those 3 guys don't work well on the court together, it doesn't allow the players to most efficiently do what theyre best at.

Monroe > Smith
No doubt about it.

BUT, I don't think Smith is moveable except by tying up your cap with garbage pieces in return. Monroe leaving on the other hand, allows you all to have ~$15 million to spend on a piece that helps round out your roster -- 3 point shooting, defense, PnR PG, etc.

A good coach can get Smith to be a poor man's (lower usage) Blake Griffin on offense, and a versatile playmaking defender.

This past year Smith's shot attempts at the basket were the least of his career. That's the problem. He's not doing what he's best at when playing the 3, with his 4 and 5 crowding the paint.

[Clarity]

I actually am not a Pistons fan, so I saw him play moreso before his time with Detroit (he faced the HEAT in the playoffs numerous times).

The idea about Josh being better at the 4 is exactly for the reasons you stated -- he is very inefficient away from the basket. Playing him at the 3 means he is more likely to spend time away from the basket. Playing him at the 3 with a 4 and a 5 that don't spread the floor means that there is less room for him to get to the basket, and its harder for him to operate around the basket. That's why those 3 guys don't work well on the court together, it doesn't allow the players to most efficiently do what theyre best at.

Monroe > Smith
No doubt about it.

BUT, I don't think Smith is moveable except by tying up your cap with garbage pieces in return. Monroe leaving on the other hand, allows you all to have ~$15 million to spend on a piece that helps round out your roster -- 3 point shooting, defense, PnR PG, etc.

A good coach can get Smith to be a poor man's (lower usage) Blake Griffin on offense, and a versatile playmaking defender.

This past year Smith's shot attempts at the basket were the least of his career. That's the problem. He's not doing what he's best at when playing the 3, with his 4 and 5 crowding the paint.

I get the whole Smith/Monroe contract situation. Smith is virtually useless here, he's a 10 year vet who is among the lowest IQ ball players in the league. He never fit here, was never needed here & will never do anything here. Just because Dumars lost his mind doesnt mean we need to make another colossal mistake in trying to salvage a dude that will never fit here.

Its simple, if we are going Dwight Orlando we move Monroe & find a new PG, SF & PF who can all shoot. Our offense will be 1 big surrounded by 4 shooters.

If we are going with a more traditional 2 front, 3 back we still need to find a PG & a SF but we move forward with Monroe. Even at a Max Agreement which is likely his market value that doesn't kill us. With Monroe being able to excel at the 5 too we can even run some of the 1/4 stuff with him when Drummond sits. We did some of that in the last few games & excelled, especially in OKC.

If we want a traditional PF next to Drummond we should obviously take the better fit, the better player & guy that's 24 not 29.

[Kilo]

Ask again after the draft lotto next Tuesday - that is a huge unknown x-factor. Stay at 8th, lose pick, move up to top three all drastically alter things IMO.

[Clarity]

Ask again after the draft lotto next Tuesday - that is a huge unknown x-factor. Stay at 8th, lose pick, move up to top three all drastically alter things IMO.

Completely agree on the latter.

If we land in the Top 3 that guarantees us either our SF, SG or PG for the next 8 years in Parker, Wiggins or Exum.

Huge

[ImHeisenberg]

I love reading people's off-season plans, whether they're well thought out, or complete pipe dreams full of assumptions.

But, I still think it's too early. We won't even know until next week if we even have a draft pick in the first round this season.

After that- the best free agent Detroit can sign this summer is Greg Monroe. Is he a perfect fit? That depends on multiple factors, chiefly, what will Josh Smith's long term situation be in Detroit?

Too early to project, just too early.

[DETermination]

If we don't get a small forward in a trade or draft I wouldn't mind trying to sign Trevor Ariza, also I would like to sign Chris Kaman to play backup center.

[piston1423]

1) I'd sign and trade Monroe and Jerebko for Ryan Anderson and a filler

2) Draft a back up SG that can shoot.

3) Decline Chauncey's team option, and use all the money you save on Billups, Jerebko, Stuckey and CV on a SF FA.

4) Sign Deng and Lowry

5) Trade Jennings and make Smith come off the bench.

Lowry/Siva
KCP/Stauskas
Deng/Singler
Anderson/Smith
Drummond/Harrellson