Part one, draft is done. Now predict the money.

[zeebneeb]

Now that I have calmed down, and shoved my brain back into my head, next up? Our free agent money. Where is it going. Starting sf? Backup sf? Bigtime free agent bid?

I think we throw money at Tobias Harris. Stanley has to earn his minutes, and I think Tobias starts at the three, Erson sits first, tobias slides to the 4, and stanley plays the three.

Thats where the big chunk of cash goes.

[Snakebites]

My initial hysteria over the pick has faded and been replaced with a calm but nonetheless absolute pessimism about our ability to use our free agent money productively. I was pessimistic about this before the draft, but it got a nice reinforcement just now.

We'll overpay for 3rd or 4th tier guys just like we did last offseason. We'll probably resign Jackson with some of the cap space, too.

[sc8581]

Vet SF and vet backup center, we're not getting any big time free agents so it's about time to start realistic lists for these spots. Keeping in mind overpaying is not only an option but a probability and we should be OK with that.

[joedumars1]

http://www.freep.com/picture-gallery/sports/nba/pistons/2015/06/23/8-best-off-season-fits-for-pistons/29161461/

[Snakebites]

I mean, obviously we'd love to add someone like Carroll, but expectations need to be managed here. The chances that the Hawks lose Carroll given they don't have his full bird rights are pretty real, but so is the fact that a small forward of his skill set will have any number of interested parties.

[Spider156]

My initial hysteria over the pick has faded and been replaced with a calm but nonetheless absolute pessimism about our ability to use our free agent money productively. I was pessimistic about this before the draft, but it got a nice reinforcement just now.

We'll overpay for 3rd or 4th tier guys just like we did last offseason. We'll probably resign Jackson with some of the cap space, too.

Too pessimistic for my liking. They'll sign Jackson after they've used up their cap space. Also, free agency is completely different from the Draft. From what I can tell SVG is very good at picking the right talent when it's proven. It's different from having an eye for potential. We'll see how his first draft goes. Stanley can actually be something great you never know. And record says SVG got Jackson and Ilyasova with 3/4th tier guys. Come on man. In Stan I Trust.

[Snakebites]

My initial hysteria over the pick has faded and been replaced with a calm but nonetheless absolute pessimism about our ability to use our free agent money productively. I was pessimistic about this before the draft, but it got a nice reinforcement just now.

We'll overpay for 3rd or 4th tier guys just like we did last offseason. We'll probably resign Jackson with some of the cap space, too.

Too pessimistic for my liking. They'll sign Jackson after they've used up their cap space. Also, free agency is completely different from the Draft. From what I can tell SVG is very good at picking the right talent when it's proven. It's different from having an eye for potential. We'll see how his first draft goes. Stanley can actually be something great you never know. And record says SVG got Jackson and Ilyasova with 3/4th tier guys. Come on man. In Stan I Trust.

Its too pessimistic for my liking too. Unfortunately its how I think its going to go regardless of how likable I find it.

In Stan I Trust. I've never been a fan of "In _____ I Trust". Maybe its because I'm not a religious guy, but it implies blind and unconditional trust and esteem. Perhaps that's not how you meant it, but its always bugged me. People used to say "In Joe We Trust" too, and probably did so about 2 or 3 years longer than they should have. When things started to go bad there those few people who spoke out about it were ostracized by most people too, myself included. Didn't make them wrong.

I tentatively granted SVG my trust when he was hired. I did so despite the total absence of any body of work on his part being an NBA Executive. We all did, and we did because we needed hope after years of mismanagement. Maintenence of that trust was contingent on his making good decisions. In the wake of a rather important decision that I perceive that he botched pretty majorly, that trust is rightfully shaken.

Add to that the fact that we're liable to fail in free agency through no fault of management anyway because we've pretty much been shown to be the undesirable stepchild of the NBA for prospective free agents, and, yeah, not much room for optimism.

And yeah, maybe I'm wrong. Lord knows I don't have a crystal ball. Maybe 2 years from now my reaction here will be remembered like the absurd chicken little rant everyone thinks it is now, and I will be teased and ribbed for getting so worked up. I sure hope so.

[Spider156]

My initial hysteria over the pick has faded and been replaced with a calm but nonetheless absolute pessimism about our ability to use our free agent money productively. I was pessimistic about this before the draft, but it got a nice reinforcement just now.

We'll overpay for 3rd or 4th tier guys just like we did last offseason. We'll probably resign Jackson with some of the cap space, too.

Too pessimistic for my liking. They'll sign Jackson after they've used up their cap space. Also, free agency is completely different from the Draft. From what I can tell SVG is very good at picking the right talent when it's proven. It's different from having an eye for potential. We'll see how his first draft goes. Stanley can actually be something great you never know. And record says SVG got Jackson and Ilyasova with 3/4th tier guys. Come on man. In Stan I Trust.

Its too pessimistic for my liking too. Unfortunately its how I think its going to go regardless of how likable I find it.

In Stan I Trust. I've never been a fan of "In _____ I Trust". Maybe its because I'm not a religious guy, but it implies blind and unconditional trust and esteem. Perhaps that's not how you meant it, but its always bugged me. People used to say "In Joe We Trust" too, and probably did so about 2 or 3 years longer than they should have. When things started to go bad there those few people who spoke out about it were ostracized by most people too, myself included. Didn't make them wrong.

I tentatively granted SVG my trust when he was hired. Maintenence of that trust was contingent on his making good decisions. In the wake of a rather important decision that I perceive that he botched pretty majorly, that trust is rightfully shaken.

Add to that the fact that we're liable to fail in free agency through no fault of management anyway because we've pretty much been shown to be the undesirable stepchild of the NBA for prospective free agents, and, yeah, not much room for optimism.

And yeah, maybe I'm wrong. Lord knows I don't have a crystal ball. Maybe 2 years from now my reaction here will be remembered like the absurd chicken little rant everyone thinks it is now, and I will be teased and ribbed for getting so worked up. I sure hope so.

I don't blame you for feeling this way. I felt the same way. But Stan sees something in Johnson. He's the professional coach. For the record, since the Bulls fired Thib, we officially have the best coach in the East. I hope that says something.

[princeofpalace]

We wont have any homerun signings, we'll probably settle on mediocre FAs who are good fits like Dunleavy.

[ElectricMayhem]

Tobias Harris fits better than anyone else, and there seems to be a notion (true or not) that Orlando doesn't necessarily want him back. During the season, the Orlando forum seemed to have moved on from the notion of keeping him, but who knows? So, try to throw money at him. If it doesn't work then we'll sign some lower tier 3/4 who may initially start at the 3 but then split time as back up 3 and 4.

[Pharaoh]

My initial hysteria over the pick has faded and been replaced with a calm but nonetheless absolute pessimism about our ability to use our free agent money productively. I was pessimistic about this before the draft, but it got a nice reinforcement just now.

We'll overpay for 3rd or 4th tier guys just like we did last offseason. We'll probably resign Jackson with some of the cap space, too.

Too pessimistic for my liking. They'll sign Jackson after they've used up their cap space. Also, free agency is completely different from the Draft. From what I can tell SVG is very good at picking the right talent when it's proven. It's different from having an eye for potential. We'll see how his first draft goes. Stanley can actually be something great you never know. And record says SVG got Jackson and Ilyasova with 3/4th tier guys. Come on man. In Stan I Trust.

Its too pessimistic for my liking too. Unfortunately its how I think its going to go regardless of how likable I find it.

In Stan I Trust. I've never been a fan of "In _____ I Trust". Maybe its because I'm not a religious guy, but it implies blind and unconditional trust and esteem. Perhaps that's not how you meant it, but its always bugged me. People used to say "In Joe We Trust" too, and probably did so about 2 or 3 years longer than they should have. When things started to go bad there those few people who spoke out about it were ostracized by most people too, myself included. Didn't make them wrong.

I tentatively granted SVG my trust when he was hired. I did so despite the total absence of any body of work on his part being an NBA Executive. We all did, and we did because we needed hope after years of mismanagement. Maintenence of that trust was contingent on his making good decisions. In the wake of a rather important decision that I perceive that he botched pretty majorly, that trust is rightfully shaken.

Add to that the fact that we're liable to fail in free agency through no fault of management anyway because we've pretty much been shown to be the undesirable stepchild of the NBA for prospective free agents, and, yeah, not much room for optimism.

And yeah, maybe I'm wrong. Lord knows I don't have a crystal ball. Maybe 2 years from now my reaction here will be remembered like the absurd chicken little rant everyone thinks it is now, and I will be teased and ribbed for getting so worked up. I sure hope so.

Awesome post!

I'm not as pessimistic but still loved your post. Only thing I wanna respond to is the "In Stan I Trust" part:

It doesn't have any religious overtones for me and it also doesn't mean unconditional or blind faith to me.

When I post it I mean "until you ruin it Stan" lol

SVG spent time out if the league. Could have stayed out. Could have gone elsewhere but chose to come to Detroit. Yeah the money was good but I don't think he's in it for cash.

SVG chose Detroit, had a plan & he's executing it. Until he deviates from that plan I'll continue to trust him on all 50/50 calls.

Go through all his transactions here in Detroit - how many did Stan "lose"?

One draft pick and it's panic stations? Hasn't the last 12 months allowed SVG some time?

I honestly understand the Winslow fans blowing up. I'm certain some of those posters are extremely knowledgeable about the game BUT:

In Stan I Trust - he's demonstrated over the last year he knows what he's doing. Until proven otherwise he gets the benefit of the doubt

[Piston Pete]

1) SF Tobias Harris
2) C Alexis Ajinca

[Kilo]

I think we'll have to S&T for Harris if we want him. Probably cost us a protect first rounder. Top 14 or top 20 protected is something I might do as he's a nice fit for us. Needs protection though as I don't see us making the play-offs his season and we also need to guard against a Dre injury and us bottoming out as a result.

[princeofpalace]

I'd be shocked if SVG was targeting Harris. I think he will be more inclined to go after guys like Carroll, D. Green and Dunleavy.

I predict we add Dunleavy at SF and Jason Smith at C. We resign Jackson and Joel Anthony.

2015-2016 Pistons
Jackson/Jennings/Dinwiddie
KCP/Meeks/Martin
Dinwiddie/Johnson/Hilliard
Ilyasova/Tolliver/Miller
Drummond/Smith/Anthony

Back in the lottery in 2016

[A-Wins]

I think we'll miss on the bigger SF free agents (Carroll included), and we'll end up with something like Dunleavy and Koufos.


Jacksong/Jennings/Dinwiddie
KCP/Meeks/Hilliard
Dunleavy/Johnson/Martin
Ilyasova/Tolliver/Miller
Drummond/Koufos/Anthony

Not too impressive, but it should give us a lot of time for our youth to grow together, and we'll take a step in the right direction. Having no real viable option in case Ilyasova goes down worries me though.

[Snakebites]

I think we'll have to S&T for Harris if we want him. Probably cost us a protect first rounder. Top 14 or top 20 protected is something I might do as he's a nice fit for us. Needs protection though as I don't see us making the play-offs his season and we also need to guard against a Dre injury and us bottoming out as a result.

Why would we need to sign and trade for him?

I'll believe any significant free agent agrees to a deal with us when I see it, but I see nothing about this situation that would necessitate a sign and trade. We've got the cap space.

[Kilo]

I think we'll have to S&T for Harris if we want him. Probably cost us a protect first rounder. Top 14 or top 20 protected is something I might do as he's a nice fit for us. Needs protection though as I don't see us making the play-offs his season and we also need to guard against a Dre injury and us bottoming out as a result.

Why would we need to sign and trade for him?

I'll believe any significant free agent agrees to a deal with us when I see it, but I see nothing about this situation that would necessitate a sign and trade. We've got the cap space.

^He's a RFA, I just think Orlando would grit their teeth and match rather than letting an asset go for nothing.

[Snakebites]

I think we'll have to S&T for Harris if we want him. Probably cost us a protect first rounder. Top 14 or top 20 protected is something I might do as he's a nice fit for us. Needs protection though as I don't see us making the play-offs his season and we also need to guard against a Dre injury and us bottoming out as a result.

Why would we need to sign and trade for him?

I'll believe any significant free agent agrees to a deal with us when I see it, but I see nothing about this situation that would necessitate a sign and trade. We've got the cap space.

^He's a RFA, I just think Orlando would grit their teeth and match rather than letting an asset go for nothing.

Don't get me wrong, its possible. Would surprise me though.

We would have to outbid the Celtics and any other potential suitors to get him, though.