Two Out of Three Aint Bad

[DocRI]

Inspired by the KCP & Nic Batum threads.

General consensus seems to be that the Pistons are set at PG & C with Reggie & Dre and could use improvements at the 2 through 4 positions. We're also set to have a nice chunk of cap space this offseason, and we could always dip into it at the trade deadline for the right target(s).

That said, even with our impending cap space, I doubt we'll have the money — or opportunity — to improve all three of the SG, SF & PF positions. Realistically, we can probably upgrade TWO of them, and only one of them significantly (i.e. only one "big money" player; no signing two max players like both Horford and Batum).

So, with those parameters, how would you prioritize the Pistons' needs? Knowing that you must leave one position "as is," how would you best improve the roster? Where are you going to spend the most money? I'm honestly interested to see both what position gets identified as our biggest need and what position gets the most votes to be left alone. And by all means, please also post WHO you'd target at the positions you vote to prioritize!

[Snakebites]

PF, SG, keep Morris and SJ at small forward.

I have a personal distaste for Morris, but he's been our third best player. Stanley Johnson has a shot at developing into a strong starter, its too early to tell, but he's got a chance. Small forward looks relatively strong short term and long term with those 2 guys, at least compared to the other 2 positions.

So that's definitely last on my list.

Both power forward and shooting guard have guys that I like as bench players moving forward but certainly not as starters. A good power forward next to Drummond is essential.

With that said, I'm not sure this is quite the right way to look at it. When we are looking at potential trades, free agent signings, and drafted players, we need guys that can help us and fit in well, and shouldn't automatically prioritize one player over another because of the position they play. For example, despite the fact that he's a small forward who can also play shooting guard, I'd throw money at Nic Batum in a hearbeat because he does so many things we need well. If there is a power forward that suites our needs as well or better, then go for him. But if he's the guy that can help us the most, don't decline to pursue just because we haven't spent money at the 4 yet.

[Todd3]

SG then PF. We are good at SF with Morris & SJ. Quality vet & young prospect with potential. Can't ask for more there right now.

Shooting at SG is our biggest need imo, followed by a PF who can add some post scoring and defense, but that can come last like when we got Rasheed. We need our Rip first though.

[Blkbrd671]

Top Priority in order

Versatile PF
Backup Center
Backup PG

[ImHeisenberg]

Nobody on this team is untouchable in a trade, IMHO. Even Drummond brings a laundry list of flaws with him, despite his often impressive stat lines. If the Kings called up and offered us Cousins for Drummond in a straight swap, I'd probably take that deal.

Jackson isn't untouchable, probably just untradable on his current contract for a few years. He's a good player, but not a great player in a league that has a great PG on about 50% of the teams.

Everyone else should be available if the trade is right, and gives us a long term player that is a notable upgrade.

The Pistons got off on a really hot start this season, and it probably gave us all disproportionate expectations due to that. They're coming back down to Earth, as teams realize they're kind of a one-trick pony and all the minutes are piling up on the starters. This team was always years away from being in contention for anything more than a bottom 3 playoff entrance.

[DBC10]

Nobody on this team is untouchable in a trade, IMHO. Even Drummond brings a laundry list of flaws with him, despite his often impressive stat lines. If the Kings called up and offered us Cousins for Drummond in a straight swap, I'd probably take that deal.

Jackson isn't untouchable, probably just untradable on his current contract for a few years. He's a good player, but not a great player in a league that has a great PG on about 50% of the teams.

Everyone else should be available if the trade is right, and gives us a long term player that is a notable upgrade.

The Pistons got off on a really hot start this season, and it probably gave us all disproportionate expectations due to that. They're coming back down to Earth, as teams realize they're kind of a one-trick pony and all the minutes are piling up on the starters. This team was always years away from being in contention for anything more than a bottom 3 playoff entrance.

Completely agreed. Especially on RJ, there's something about him that I just am not 100% sold on, whether it's his less than stellar playmaking and being way too ball dominant (leads the league in all guards IIRC), as well as not playing defense.

[Snakebites]

Nobody on this team is untouchable in a trade, IMHO. Even Drummond brings a laundry list of flaws with him, despite his often impressive stat lines. If the Kings called up and offered us Cousins for Drummond in a straight swap, I'd probably take that deal.

Jackson isn't untouchable, probably just untradable on his current contract for a few years. He's a good player, but not a great player in a league that has a great PG on about 50% of the teams.

Everyone else should be available if the trade is right, and gives us a long term player that is a notable upgrade.

The Pistons got off on a really hot start this season, and it probably gave us all disproportionate expectations due to that. They're coming back down to Earth, as teams realize they're kind of a one-trick pony and all the minutes are piling up on the starters. This team was always years away from being in contention for anything more than a bottom 3 playoff entrance.

Nobody is really arguing that. Improvements at pg and c aren't completely out of the realm of possibility (center is for all practical purposes though). Its just that they aren't priorities.

[Blkbrd671]

Nobody on this team is untouchable in a trade, IMHO. Even Drummond brings a laundry list of flaws with him, despite his often impressive stat lines. If the Kings called up and offered us Cousins for Drummond in a straight swap, I'd probably take that deal.

Jackson isn't untouchable, probably just untradable on his current contract for a few years. He's a good player, but not a great player in a league that has a great PG on about 50% of the teams.

Everyone else should be available if the trade is right, and gives us a long term player that is a notable upgrade.

The Pistons got off on a really hot start this season, and it probably gave us all disproportionate expectations due to that. They're coming back down to Earth, as teams realize they're kind of a one-trick pony and all the minutes are piling up on the starters. This team was always years away from being in contention for anything more than a bottom 3 playoff entrance.

Completely agreed. Especially on RJ, there's something about him that I just am not 100% sold on, whether it's his less than stellar playmaking and being way too ball dominant (leads the league in all guards IIRC), as well as not playing defense.

I am not either, but at the same time RJ is not done developing. He hasn't even had one season of being a full time pg and is in a new system with new players also in the new system. He's still learning how to run the offense and share teh ball. My big concern as you stated is defense. There are times this season where Blake and jennings ,last game, looked like the much better defender.

I'd say Dre's about the only untouchable player, simple because there hasn't been a player like him in over a decade.

[Cowology]

I don't have a concrete answer right now. I still want to get a look at a RJ/KCP/Stanley/Mook/Dre lineup and see how well Jennings fits in. I also need to see if a healthy Meeks (if that ever happens) relieves some of my KCP anxiety.

I suppose my biggest want would be a quality player at the power positions. Obviously somebody like Horford who can give you All-Star level play at the 4, but also be Dre's primary backup would be ideal. IF we could do that and manage to re-sign Jennings I'd be thrilled.

Alternatively, a bench player in the Uncle Cliffy/Dice mold who could give us 20 solid minutes backup up both power positions could work if we felt somebody like Batum was a more realistic target.

There are a lot of moving parts. I suppose my top priority is simply filling as many needs as we can in the most efficient way possible, regardless of who he bigger name may be. It's not like Bird is about to walk through those doors, so in the absence of that sorta impact player we need quality depth.

[edmunder_prc]

I am against Horford for a lot of reasons.

He never shot the 3 ball in Utah. Look at his stats. He was shooting on average less than one a game, actually less than .5 a game on average. for 7 years. Then for 2 years he shot 3 a game and made 1. He rebounds well and can shoot, but that is not what we need on this team.

And this year his averages are down to .298 on the 3 ball. Plus he is already 30. Reality is telling me he peaked the last two years, especially his first year on the Hawks and now its going to be a slow decline. That's is a very poor choice to throw a large paycheck at.

There must be a good SG/SF shooter that this team really, desperately needs. Batum is a name I see. I don't watch enough of other teams to be honest to really know whats going on free agency wise. But it is absolutely not Horford.

[Spider156]

I think SVG and co know exactly what they need to bring in. SVG is a real guy and he sees the team for what it is. Young and inconsistent. I think the first priority is a PF. We need to make another big trade or sign one in the summer, preferably Horford. Batum is also a great pick up. Either players would be great as they give us another playmaker. I think Stanley Johnson should start at SG and KCP comes off the bench. I think both players can be productive but SJ can be more consistent with more flexibility. He's a volume shooter that can go off at any point. I see a lot of potential in him and I think that shot of his is pretty great. Kid is a playmaker, KCP is not but the Kid Can Play. It's either that or SJ starts at SF. I think we're more likely to see SJ starting at SF with Morris at PF than a trade happening. But you never know what presents itself.

[Spider156]

Nobody on this team is untouchable in a trade, IMHO. Even Drummond brings a laundry list of flaws with him, despite his often impressive stat lines. If the Kings called up and offered us Cousins for Drummond in a straight swap, I'd probably take that deal.

This is very offensive. No way you think that Cousins the guy that's making his team turmoil would be better to have than Drummond. You're taking Drummond for granted, the kid is incredible. He's only 22. In 3 years, it's game over! But I would trade for Cousins and start him next to Drummond. That would be a monstrous front court. Unstoppable. You could literally play the pick and roll with them. Man! I've just always loved Cousins. Just not more than Drummond. That's not cool.

[Spider156]

SG then PF. We are good at SF with Morris & SJ. Quality vet & young prospect with potential. Can't ask for more there right now.

Shooting at SG is our biggest need imo, followed by a PF who can add some post scoring and defense, but that can come last like when we got Rasheed. We need our Rip first though.

I think Stanley Johnson can start at SG and KCP comes off the bench. We have enough talent at SG. Definitely not enough at PF.

[El Chivo]

Nobody on this team is untouchable in a trade, IMHO. Even Drummond brings a laundry list of flaws with him, despite his often impressive stat lines. If the Kings called up and offered us Cousins for Drummond in a straight swap, I'd probably take that deal.

This is very offensive. No way you think that Cousins the guy that's making his team turmoil would be better to have than Drummond. You're taking Drummond for granted, the kid is incredible. He's only 22. In 3 years, it's game over! But I would trade for Cousins and start him next to Drummond. That would be a monstrous front court. Unstoppable. You could literally play the pick and roll with them. Man! I've just always loved Cousins. Just not more than Drummond. That's not cool.

Cousins is better in every single aspect of the game.

[Pharaoh]

Priority #1 for me is another playmaker to alleviate pressure on RJ all season...so Batum is my starting point.

A quality power player to start at PF then back up Dre is next in line but I'd have to look up second tier free agent bigs to name names or look into the trade market via Meeks & our 2016 pick (expiring + young talent could land something decent)

Then go over the cap to retain Jennings and Dre:

Dre/FA/Baynes
FA/Illy/Tolly/Mook
Batum/Mook/SJ
KCP/Batum/SJ
RJ/BJ

That's a quality squad IMO

[El Chivo]

SVG will exercise Ilyasova option, so we don't have enough capspace. I don't think Batum is affordable, he'll pursue money and Charlotte has the bird rights.

[zeebneeb]

Seems to be a few threads lately about "upgrades" and "changes". Does anyone believe in a "Lets see what we actually have" approach?


Building a true team takes time, and it would seem some have only given this team under half a season to impress. I guess i am in the minority in waiting until players actually come into their own.

As for Drummond not being untouchable;



I have no other way to respond as its utterly hilarious.

Jackson 25
Pope 22
Morris 26
Drummond 22
Johnson 19
Jennings 26

34 games have been played with this current team. 34. The team went from a complete and utter disaster to having for sure a starting ALL-STAR and a potential second ALL-STAR in Jackson, 2 games above .500 for the first time since the last ice age, and wins against quality playoff bound teams. Have they stuttered along the way? Of course. This isnt some well oiled machine thats played together for a few years and just cant seem to put it together. This is a collection of super young players starting to come together and learning how to win, and to lose 34 games into a brand new season. Making a move now that could come back to haunt our ass's for years to come is not exactly high on my list of things to do.

Also take this under consideration:

There are three of our starters(Pope, Drummond, and Morris) who have never been in the playoffs and wouldnt it be prudent to see how they perform in the playoffs before making any kind of move? Some players perform exceedingly well in crunch time(Basically all of our starters) so in a high pressure enviroment like the playoffs knowing what your guys are capable of before you ship them out would be prudent.

This is not the Raptors. Not the Wizards, and not the Bulls. We just dont know yet. Those teams DO.

[Snakebites]

Seems to be a few threads lately about "upgrades" and "changes". Does anyone believe in a "Lets see what we actually have" approach?

We will have the rest of the season to do that. I don't think any major moves will be made this season.

[Spider156]

Nobody on this team is untouchable in a trade, IMHO. Even Drummond brings a laundry list of flaws with him, despite his often impressive stat lines. If the Kings called up and offered us Cousins for Drummond in a straight swap, I'd probably take that deal.

This is very offensive. No way you think that Cousins the guy that's making his team turmoil would be better to have than Drummond. You're taking Drummond for granted, the kid is incredible. He's only 22. In 3 years, it's game over! But I would trade for Cousins and start him next to Drummond. That would be a monstrous front court. Unstoppable. You could literally play the pick and roll with them. Man! I've just always loved Cousins. Just not more than Drummond. That's not cool.

Cousins is better in every single aspect of the game.

Except rebounding and attitude and that's enough for me to want to keep Drummond over Cousins. Cousins would ruin this team

[Cowology]

Seems to be a few threads lately about "upgrades" and "changes". Does anyone believe in a "Lets see what we actually have" approach?


Building a true team takes time, and it would seem some have only given this team under half a season to impress. I guess i am in the minority in waiting until players actually come into their own.

Most of the conversation has been about looking forward to both next off-season and further. And I'm all for seeing what we actually have, but that doesn't mean you stop looking for other ways to improve your team.

I am in no way displeased with the progress we've made or where we are at. I picked us to win 48-50 wins before the season and I feel pretty good about doing just that. If I'm analyzing weaknesses or ways to improve it's because I don't want that improvement to stop. Some of our growth will certainly be internal in the form of our young guys developing, but some of it will not and if we can add a piece (or two) to push into the next tier then why not talk about that possibility?

It's not like we're hurting the board by talking about it. We aren't exactly bumping the plethora of amazing threads off the 1st page with some huge over abundance of conversation that nobody wants to see. People clearly have an interest. I have an interest. Where is the harm?