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I wanted to get everyone's opinion on the happenings in Detroit. I will give my own to start things off.

1. Firing Michael Curry
I'm indifferent on the firing, but I hate the timing. Coming so long after the end of the Pistons' season and after the story about the disconnect with Rip Hamilton makes a clear statement of inmates running the asylum. This timing puts the next coach in a bad position from day 1 and ultimately means to me that they have to deal Rip Hamilton somewhere (if they can) to reassert control. By point #2, maybe they already realize it.

2. Offering Ben Gordon $55M
He can definitely score, but doesn't he play the same position as Rip Hamilton? Didn't Rip just get an extension and throw a fit over losing a starting spot. The other issue is that Ben Gordon isn't exactly known for the other aspects of his game. He doesn't have PG skills and his defense is not impressive. Big dollars for a 1 trick pony, but you do need points to win. I don't think this move really helps them.

3. Charlie Villanueva
The Pistons have also reached terms with Charlie Villanueva for 5 yrs/35M. Charlie put up points on a bad Milwaukee team, but again isn't much of a well-rounded player. He scores and that's about it. Not a horrible price, but not the well-rounded PF.

4. Resulting Roster
G - Stuckey/Gordon/Hamilton/Bynum/Affalo
F - Prince/Villanueva/Maxiell/Sharpe/Oberto (likely cut)/Daye (I forgot him earlier)/Summers
C - Brown
They have more moves to make, but I'm not feeling the combination as it is stacking up. In my opinion, Detroit is positioning themselves to be around the 8th best team in the East for some time. They're quickly abandoning the defensive mantra that lead to years of competitiveness for what looks to me like offensive lineup spackle.

Conclusion - If I was a Detroit fan, I'd be skeptical of these moves. I'm not though and look forward to not hearing the De-troit Basket-ball chant for many years.

What do you think about the Pistons moves?

Detroit is making changes for the sake of making changes. Their team is done.

I'd tear up the roster and go for a complete rebuild.

There comes a point where great GMs have just lost it for w/e reason. Jerry Krause when he traded Brand for Chandler,Jerry West when he signed Brian Cardinal,some of Auerbachs moves towards the end of his tenure as GM,etc. I think Dumars did an amazing job to consistently put a contending team on the court over a 7 year period w/o a top 10 player...but I think he just overdid it by making such bold(and dumb imo)moves like trading Billups for AI,and continsuasly firing coaches who make deep runs into the playoffs.

The more I think about it Hamilton is a must trade, but I'm not sure how much trade value he has.

evildallas wrote:The more I think about it Hamilton is a must trade, but I'm not sure how much trade value he has.

That's why I'm thinking. What was the point of extending Rip all those years unless you planned on keeping him? I can't see there being much of a market for a 31 year old SG on that long of a deal considering what guys like Vince and Jefferson got traded for.

The one deal I could see is to the Mavericks for Eric Dampier. He's not great, but his deal is shorter and he plays a position that Detroit doesn't really have manned. I would expect Pistons fans to scream at the suggestion, but I don't see how Hamilton will work in combination with the signings unless they move Prince and go to essentially 3 guard lineup by starting Hamilton at SF. That or Ben Gordon is an $11M/yr 6th man.

evildallas wrote:The one deal I could see is to the Mavericks for Eric Dampier. He's not great, but his deal is shorter and he plays a position that Detroit doesn't really have manned. I would expect Pistons fans to scream at the suggestion, but I don't see how Hamilton will work in combination with the signings unless they move Prince and go to essentially 3 guard lineup by starting Hamilton at SF. That or Ben Gordon is an $11M/yr 6th man.

I find it hard to believe that Detroit is going to get any real value for Rip and his contract.

11,625,000
11,333,333
11,333,333
11,333,334

Unless Eric becomes All-Star status next season the final year of his contract won't be guaranteed. We both know the likelihood of him making the All-Star team is slim to none. Dallas won't move him right now until they acquire another 5, but they are pursing Marcin Gortat (doubt he signs).

I think Dallas would only be willing to part with Jerry Stackhouse (only 2 million guaranteed) and a filler that would most likely be expiring. I still doubt Dallas would provide Detroit with instant cap space if they don't compensate them by the way of a future first round pick. If Detroit is willing to accept Matt Carroll the pick(s) can be waived.

A bit much?

Good point. I forgot the terms of Dampier's deal that will make it an expiring. It is sad to think that Hamilton is less valuable than Eric Dampier these days. Amazing.

My new candidate would be Charlotte. The coach has enough stroke to put Hamilton in his place and they have the likes of Desagna Diop and Raja Bell to match salary. Charlotte isn't seen as a buyer in this market, but the salary affect is essentially nil for year 1 and I'd expect their Coach to lobby hard. Detroit would have to sweeten it to get anymore talent back. As it is they still may need to include a pick since Bell is expiring.

The Charlie V signing seems like a bit much. I was hearing 8 a year, not 7.

Their loss is our gain. We've already moved past them in the hierarchy though, so their problems are fairly irreavelant to most of us, I'd think; especially since there is even very little likelihood we'll be dealing with them in the near future.

The last year of Hamilton's contract is not guaranteed but no one seems to know the details of that protection. It would affect his trade value quite a bit. It was a terrible extension to give out regardless.

According to yahoo Detroit signed two "star" players. If they are considering BG and CV stars, does that mean we have a team full of stars? Or that possibly we have some superstars (players better than stars)? I guess then Lebron would be considered a super duper star?

uga_dawgs24 wrote:According to yahoo Detroit signed two "star" players. If they are considering BG and CV stars, does that mean we have a team full of stars? Or that possibly we have some superstars (players better than stars)? I guess then Lebron would be considered a super duper star?

It was a better headline to be a little loose with the "star" label than to say "Detroit hosts largest alumni chapter for UConn". I would have went with the more skeptical tease of "Is Jim Calhoun coming to Motown?"

Not sure what's going on in Motown. They are completely abandoning the team method that made them successful by trading for two volume scorers that don't play defense. I like Gordon and Villanueva is worth a look after having a nice contract year, but if the Pistons really think these guys will make that team any better with their current roster they better think again.

Still, the dumbest move of the offseason so far is the Grizzlies trading a large expiring contract for Zach Randolph. What the hell is that organization trying to do?