The Pistons make a deal before the deadline

[HeroicKennedy]

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.

Well, we are twins after all. We both were born on May 1st, 1987.

I'm 6-0, 189 pounds.
He's 6-9, 225 pounds.

[captainrebel]

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.

Are you kidding? Doesn't QRich have a back problem that have caused him to miss several games this season? Wasn't Knicks fans bawling when Isiah brought him to NY because everyone was aware of his back surgery which has caused so much problems? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Hunter]

I thought this might the year we'd finally be able to develop a project, but we're playing better than I expected. And with Maxiell & Stuckey contributing the way they are it doesn't appear we'll be in a much better position to give minutes away anytime soon.

We should stick to drafting 3 & 4 year college players, even if they have less upside.

I'm less critical of the Dice extension now than I was 3 months ago, but it's still ultimately going to force us to choose between Maxiell & Amir. There are not enough minutes at PF to go around. We have 2 options.

a) Trade Maxiell for a legit backup C. This would address one of our biggest needs and open up minutes for Amir at PF.

b) Trade Amir for either a C prospect (who'd have less potential) or upgrade the backup SF spot

The problem is we'd never get the sort of value we want for Amir, so trading him is almost impossible. He'd be most valuable packaged w/ another starter in an attempt to upgrade that position. Put him with either Tay or Rip and maybe a 1st and see what sort of player you can bring back.

So ultimately we'll probably go with c) Do nothing and hope that in a year or two Amir is finally able to crack the rotation. That thought doesn't exactly excite me, but not many good alternatives.

[bstein14]

Hunter is on our playoff roster for sure IMO.

He brings pressure on opposing PG's that no one else in the NBA can match.

He's so smart and good at picking these backup PG's pocket its rediculous.

As of right now, the 3 men out of the playoff rotation would have to be Flip, Samb, and Hermann.

[nasty daddy]

Does anyone know off hand who are the free agent centers going around besides C-Webb?

[bstein14]

It seems we could use a shot blocker and someone to help on the boards...

I look at the stats and Amir leads the team in Rebounds per 48 minutes and... and he leads the league in blocks per 48 minutes (min 10 games played).

So he brings what we need, we just need to develop him more.

I almost wish Dumars would trade Brezec and Hermann for picks and give Dice a few days rest so we get some Amir.

[Hunter]

It seems we could use a shot blocker and someone to help on the boards...

I look at the stats and Amir leads the team in Rebounds per 48 minutes and... and he leads the league in blocks per 48 minutes (min 10 games played).

So he brings what we need, we just need to develop him more.

I almost wish Dumars would trade Brezec and Hermann for picks and give Dice a few days rest so we get some Amir.

We won't remain healthy all season. And are due for a few ejections/suspensions.

[Phobo_Phile]

The only way Dumars messes with this team anymore is if we go on a losing streak from now till the trading deadline.

[Strawder]

O.K. I don't post too often but I lurk daily. How about cutting Murray and convincing Dale Davis to make one last run? If we could gte a 2d rounder for Murray, that would be better, of course, but I'm not sure anyone wants him that badly. He clearly has no place on this team, given the play of the two rookies. And Dale Davis is the perfect big backup center we would need against the bigger opposition centers. In fact, I believe some posters have referred to obtaining a "Dale Davis type center". Why not go for the real thing? If my memory is correct, Davis had no injuries or other physical impediments to returning. He certainly would be better than Webber. Davis has always been a bruising inside player who doesn't demand the ball, who rebounds and plays defense. I didn't see any huge decline in those areas in the few times he received playing time last year. Just my thoughts.

[Liqourish]

It seems we could use a shot blocker and someone to help on the boards...

I look at the stats and Amir leads the team in Rebounds per 48 minutes and... and he leads the league in blocks per 48 minutes (min 10 games played).

So he brings what we need, we just need to develop him more.

There you have it!! We have all the pieces we need, we just aren't utilizing them properly.

Rip has finally gone back to running off screens, Billups is passing the ball sooner, and Dice has come alive in his starting role.

Stuckey needs to improve his decision making, Afflalo needs more minutes (he's our best defensive gaurd...there I said it!), Jarvis is nervous about losing his minutes to Herrmann and found his damn stroke.

If Maxiell can stay out of foul trouble and we can get Amir in there to rebound and block shots, even if he misses the 2 shots per game he gets... we would be a very nice well rounded team with no huge flaws.

I actually think Max/Amir could defend the post nicely.... Amir has the length and Max has the strength.... they both can rebound and block/alter shots. It's better than Brezec (who doesn't provide the shotblocking/rebounding... but he has a jumper which we haven't seen yet). I'm not talking about Amir playing 30 mpg, but 10 mpg is not out of the question. Give him 5 minutes in the 2nd qtr and 5 minutes to start the 4th and we'd be okay.

Joe is not going to giving away the expirings he obtained to get him under the lux tax. I know people have come to think of expirings as trade bait, but they help teams over the cap... which the Pistons are. I don't see him making a huge move... maybe Flip for a pick or two... but what you see is what you get.

Playoff rotation:
Chauncey/Stuckey/Lindsey
Rip/Chauncey/StuckeyAfflalo
Tay/Jarvis/Hermann
Dice/Max/Herrmann
Sheed/Dice/Brezec

Only one of Herrmann/Amir are going to be activated for the playoffs with Lindsey being a defensive specialist. Amir might get the spot because Joe favors him but being realistic, Flip would NEVER play him in the playoffs... so I think I would rather have Herrmann active for the playoffs, just because Flip would be more inclined to use him and he could backup both forward spots.

[GJense4181]

^So it's official, and we should trade Flip Murray.
I agree that Hermann would (and should) get priority over Amir in the playoffs.
I'd remove Chauncey from the backup SG position, though. Afflalo has already proven that he deserves 20 minutes a game and Stuckey likely will come post-season.

We COULD package Amir and a starter (and a first rounder) to snag a star off of a lottery team...or Amir and a good bench player to acquire a(nother) 6th starter from a porous team...but I'd rather hang onto him.
If we could package Murray and Brezec, what kind of backup C would we get? This wouldn't allow for Amir to make the playoff roster, but still:
Billups/Stuckey/Cowology
Hamilton/Stuckey and Afflalo
Prince/Hayes/Hermann
McDyess/Maxiell/Hayes
Wallace/McDyess and TradeCe

[GJense4181]

It could be Zaza Pachulia from the Hawks (ATL loves to stockpile Flip Murray-caliber guards). Kendrick Perkins (they'd never bite, although I think he's piss). Joe Smith (neither would want to). Anderson Varejao (nope). Steven Hunter from Denver. Jeff Foster of Indiana (they'd like to get Brezec back). Stromile Swift of Memphis. Dan Gadzuric from Milwaukee (Ick). Jason Collins or Jamaal Magloire from New Jersey (ick to former, hmmm to latter). Jerome James on NY (EW). Injured Tony Battie on Orlando (obvi no). Reggie Evans on Philly (not a Ce). Joel Pryzbilla on Portland (wanted him over Mohammed). Mikki Moore on Sacramento (former Piston). Jorge Garbajosa of Toronto (much more of a F tweener). Brendan Haywood and Darius Songaila of Washington.

Any of those pique your interest? Keep in mind we could throw a first round pick their way. Or a 2nd round pick our way from them.

[mercury]

I'm in the same camp as Low-Ki (we need to upgrade the backup 5 and don't count on the draft for this)... however I'm not sure saving for the MLE is the answer... there will be several teams competing for the same quality bigs.
I'd rather see us spend the money now in a trade for the player needed for the next few years.
A guy like Wilcox should be within reach without gutting the future.
I'm definately not content with our inside play going into the post season.

[prophet_of_rage]

I'm in the same camp as Low-Ki (we need to upgrade the backup 5 and don't count on the draft for this)... however I'm not sure saving for the MLE is the answer... there will be several teams competing for the same quality bigs.
I'd rather see us spend the money now in a trade for the player needed for the next few years.
A guy like Wilcox should be within reach without gutting the future.
I'm definately not content with our inside play going into the post season.

Much as I hate his game I think Chris Wilcox would be very good here. I like the idea of Kurt Thomas, too.

I don't know if Seattle would give up Thomas, though. They might give up Wilcox to get more cap room.

Philly is probably looking to get deep under the cap. That's a team where you might be able to do something.

[GJense4181]

^Chris Wilcox makes 6.75 million next season, the last year of his deal. He is listed at 6'10" 235 lb and is averaging 13.3 (52%FG) and 7.4 rbp in under 30 minutes. He's a 71% free throw shooter this season, which is probably average for big men. He's not a shot-blocking threat, though.

I'd consider trading for him, but whom would we give up?

[theBigLip]

I could see us making a trade (dumping Flip most likely) but I doubt we will do anything to change our core for this year, even if that means that Amir doesn't play much. Sheed, Dice and Max will get all the minutes in the playoffs, and I'm fine with that. If we could get Dale Davis to come off the bench and give us some beef against big Z, that would be fine with me, but it's not like a Shaq threat we had to worry about in the past.

[Low-Ki]

Seattle is one team I think we could decent value in return for Amir because Scott Perry was part of the Detroit front office that was so hyped about him. However the players that would be available on Seattle are not worth dealing Amir for.

Maybe a current big(Collison or Wilcox) and a future protected first rounder(forever lotto protected) sorta deal could work for an Amir trade.

[Master Shake]

I've always been a huge Wilcox fan, and I think he's probably on his way out in Seattle, I doubt he's in their future plans.

I think we can grab either Wilcox or Petro, Wilcox obviously is worth more, but I don't see why our 08 first, Amir, and some expirings can't get it done. We also have like 4 second rounders from other teams for the next 4 years or something, hell, they can take em all.

Petro wouldn't be our best option right now if we're in win now mode, but with Maxiell already on the roster, I don't think we'd go after Wilcox, they bring the same things to the table. But I would prefer Wilcox over Brezec... start Wilcox and Sheed, bring in Max and Dyess together, thats a really strong 4 big man rotation, but enough minutes for everyone?

[Hunter]

I'm in the same camp as Low-Ki (we need to upgrade the backup 5 and don't count on the draft for this)... however I'm not sure saving for the MLE is the answer... there will be several teams competing for the same quality bigs.
I'd rather see us spend the money now in a trade for the player needed for the next few years.
A guy like Wilcox should be within reach without gutting the future.
I'm definately not content with our inside play going into the post season.

I tend to agree. When you try to get a bigman in FA your options are limited and you wind up competing with other desperate teams resulting in overpaying for a guy like Nazr.

I'd love if we could find another Dale Davis or Elden Campbell for around $2.5-$3.0 mil, but I dunno who that would be. And it doesn't particularly help us right now. I'd rather see who we can find through trade. We've got the depth and assets - let's use them!

We've got expiring contracts, depth to spare in the form of guys like Hermann and value to offer int he form of Amir & Afflalo. Not to mention a boatload of 2nd rounders or perhaps even our own 1st rounder. Now is the PERFECT time to consolidate our assets and upgrade a rotation position.

Wilcox is a guy I'd have some interest in.

[Low-Ki]

Chucky Atkins is done for the season with a hernia. Didn't Denver show interest in Flip Murray earlier in the season? I guess we could get a second rounder for him now if we wanted it however the prudent thing might be to keep his expiring deal until we have the ability to package it with Herrman and or Brezec in a bigger deal after Feb 13th...