The Pistons make a deal before the deadline

HeroicKennedy · Post #1 » by **HeroicKennedy** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 12:40 am

Do you think they will? Not what type or who they will get, but whether or not they'll make a deal.

Post #2 » by **Snakebites** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 12:43 am

I went with no.

Im a notoriously poor seer, but my gut tells me Dumars wants to see what this group can do. Short of a perfect offer nobody anticipated, we have what we have, and at the moment I have trouble envisioning a realistic deal coming about that makes this team clearly better. And thats what it would take for a deal to happen.

May not be the sexiest choice, but IMO its the most likely.

bstein14 · Post #3 » by **bstein14** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 1:06 am

Well, I think we have more depth then what we need honestly.

We have people who are 9, 10, 11, or 12 on our roster who can help other teams trying to make the playoffs and a playoff run.

We have expiring deals that alot of teams would have interest in.

Where could we upgrade?

That's the tough question. The most obvious position would be an upgrade over Hayes, but Hayes has had some really good stretches.

If we go into the playoffs with this much depth, its almost a waste. We're only going to be going 8 deep or sometimes 9 deep. We are one of the top 3 teams in the NBA and we may just be one move away from moving us from Elite to NBA Champion.

ElectricMayhem · Post #4 » by **ElectricMayhem** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 1:10 am

Yeah, they've got NBA-level talent vegetating on the bench. I doubt they'll do something major, but I think Dumars will try to throw a few of his players that aren't used much together for an upgrade somewhere rather than risk the chance that guys get angry they aren't playing and affect the locker room.

Post #5 » by **ajaX82** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 1:18 am

Im just not sure what we could trade for. A backup legit center? Thats the only thing possible im thinking.

And why should we make a trade? We are a damn good team, there is really no reason to make a move or disrupt the chemistry. This group can compete with anyone, so lets do that

Hunter · Post #6 » by **Hunter** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 1:20 am

No major changes, but maybe a small tweak to the end of our bench.

I think Joe would still like to find a Dale replacement or at least get a shotblocker like Steven Hunter back there. Brezec is useless. I really don't envision CWebb coming back, but we might still try and clear a roster spot.

The guy who I'm really starting to target it on is Najera. I dunno what it would take to get him, but he's the sort of physical, blue color worker that could spell Tay against bigger players.

Low-Ki · Post #7 » by **Low-Ki** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 1:56 am

Primoz is a spaz and Amir isn't going to be ready for play-off minutes - we definitely need a legit back-up center.

With Brezec, Herrmann, Murray expiring, I'd like to use all three along with our first round draft pick to try and bring in a legit center back-up.

Hunter · Post #8 » by **Hunter** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 2:01 am

Low-Ki wrote:With Brezec, Herrmann, Murray expiring, I'd like to use all three along with our first round draft pick to try and bring in a legit center back-up.

Nice in theory...but who?

nasty daddy · Post #9 » by **nasty daddy** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 2:05 am

bstein14 wrote:Well, I think we have more depth then what we need honestly.

We have people who are 9, 10, 11, or 12 on our roster who can help other teams trying to make the playoffs and a playoff run.

We have expiring deals that alot of teams would have interest in.

Where could we upgrade?

That's the tough question. The most obvious position would be an upgrade over Hayes, but Hayes has had some really good stretches.

If we go into the playoffs with this much depth, its almost a waste. We're only going to be going 8 deep or sometimes 9 deep. We are one of the top 3 teams in the NBA and we may just be one move away from moving us from Elite to NBA Champion.

I agree with that.

Low-Ki · Post #10 » by **Low-Ki** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 2:09 am

Kurt Thomas. Yeah it's a rent-a-player and some might balk as including a first rounder for a rental, but I'd do it.

We need to get an expiring contract back so we can have the full MLE to play with this off-season, AND have room for Amir to play next season.

Hunter · Post #11 » by **Hunter** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 2:30 am

Yeah, I wouldn't give up a 1st for Kurt.

That's potentially like giving up an Arron Afflalo or Jason Maxiell to rent the guy for 3 months. IF that's the price I'd rather find a cheaper alternative, even if they aren't as good.

Low-Ki · Post #12 » by **Low-Ki** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 2:44 am

The thing with our first rounder is that we only need a big man and we're not going to get one late in the first round. So to that end, I don't think a first rounder is as valuable to us as it will be to other teams.

I guess we could gun for a small forward to finally push Tayshaun, however in reality I see a lot of three guard sets sooner rahter than later with Hamilton sliding up to the three.

I guess we could keep our pick, cut somebody and try and sweet talk PJ Brown out of his happy retirement or see what kind of shape Dale Davis kept himself in.

I just don't want to take on a longer than expiring deal because it would take away from our ability to lure a top MLE player whould we deem somebody worthy and will just block Amir from playing further going forward.

Post #13 » by **ajaX82** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:09 am

How bout Gadzuric from Milwaukee?

Big Steak · Post #14 » by **Big Steak** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:10 am

I think we will either cut Murray or deal him for a pick and then sign a big man free agent. I just don't see Dumars doing anything drastic UNLESS it's a deal that can potentially put us over the top.

HeroicKennedy · Post #15 » by **HeroicKennedy** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:11 am

The biggest deterent to Amir's playing time is Maxiell, though. At some point we're going to have to choose. Now, obviously not this year, but eventually, because Amir really isn't a SF (they tried, but I think he's better off at PF), we're either going to have to trade one or release one.

Unless one is completely selfless and agrees to back up the other (which is entirely possible) and we move either McDyess or Rasheed.

My dream would be to land Amare Stoudamire. Defense be damned, having him in the low block would be a dream come true. However, like everyone has already said, a small deal is most likely to occur.

GJense4181 · Post #16 » by **GJense4181** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:33 am

bstein14 wrote:Well, I think we have more depth then what we need honestly. We do. We are leaving guys INACTIVE that could be 7th men on several teams.
We have people who are 9, 10, 11, or 12 on our roster who can help other teams trying to make the playoffs and a playoff run.
So far, factoring in total games played, starts, and minutes per game (while taking into account injury), has yielded a Flip Saunder's bench ranking of: 6 Jason Maxiell (34gp/6s, 23.4 mpg), 7 Jarvis Hayes (34gp, 17.4mpg), 8 Arron Afflalo (32gp/2s, 11.8 mpg), 9 Flip Murray (19gp/2s, 18.3mpg), 10 Rodney Stuckey (9gp, 15.9 mpg), 11 Amir Johnson (21gp, 8.4 mpg), 12 Lindsey Hunter (16gp, 8.4 mpg), 13 Primoz Brezec (9gp, 5.9 mpg), 14 Walter Hermann (3g, 6mpg), 15 Cheikh Samb (2g, 10.5 mpg).
It appears that the early season backup SG dilemma between Arron Afflalo and Flip Murray has now been decided in Lalo's favor.
There could be a debate between Stuckey and Murray. One is activated and recovering from injury, the other is deactivated and healthy. We aren't showcasing Flip, either.
Come playoff time, the 12th man spot is up for grabs between Lindsey, Primoz, and Hermann. I'd give it to Brezec. Then again, I'd also CUT Lindsey straight up.
We have expiring deals that alot of teams would have interest in.
Yep. Murray, Lindsey, Brezec, Hermann. I'd trade Murray, Brezec, and Hermann for some sort of expiring center.

Where could we upgrade?
Backup C.

That's the tough question. The most obvious position would be an upgrade over Hayes, but Hayes has had some really good stretches.
Hayes is our 7th man! In our top 10, we only have one center (Rasheed). The rest are guards, for the most part. McDyess has done ok in his time spent at the 5 but I'm still not entirely comfortable with it.

If we go into the playoffs with this much depth, its almost a waste. We're only going to be going 8 deep or sometimes 9 deep. We are one of the top 3 teams in the NBA and we may just be one move away from moving us from Elite to NBA Champion.
I'm going to cook up a trade. Maybe.

ElectricMayhem · Post #17 » by **ElectricMayhem** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:42 am

HeroicKennedy wrote: ...or release one.

Release Maxiell or Amir? There is no way that is ever happening.

HeroicKennedy · Post #18 » by **HeroicKennedy** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 3:51 am

GenshiYagyu wrote:Release Maxiell or Amir? There is no way that is ever happening.

I didn't mean cut them. I meant when their deals expire, not resign them.

Low-Ki · Post #19 » by **Low-Ki** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 4:14 am

I wouldn't count out the possibility of Amir rounding into a center-eligible player in the future. I mean he's 20 yrs old (21 in May 2008), meaning he has some filling out to do yet. If he's 225 now, he's easily got another 15lbs in him as he matures physically. That would put him at 6-10 240 with a seven foot wingspan.

HeroicKennedy · Post #20 » by **HeroicKennedy** » Wed Jan 9, 2008 4:17 am

Another guy I like, or used to like, is Quentin Richardson. I liked what he did in Los Angeles and Phoenix, but he's just dying in New York, mainly because that place is just awful for any player. If his contract wasn't so bad (I think he's on the 3rd or 4th year of a six year deal) I'd love to bring him in, either as a super sixth man or as a replacement for Tayshaun.