Darko does not equate to Pitbull

Who said anything about Ron Artest?

After this series, especially the 4th quarter. I can't imagine anyone thinking we won on this pick. But, I have a solution for how we can.

After letting Orlando train Darko for a year, we sign Darko back in a sign-and-trade.

Dead serious, Darko and JJ for Rip. We get to match Darko with Sheed. Those two would be unstoppable. Tay and Delfino play the 2/3 interchangibly, which would create matchup problems against almost every team. And JJ comes in as that sweet shooting spot shooter that Flip craves.

The team would immediately be better defensively. Better rebounding. Younger And as good a shooter as Rip is, with the offense run through Darko and Sheed, we'd be an even better shooting team. And we'd have a bench of Flip, Amir, JJ, JMax, Acker/Blaylock, and the pick.

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Here's the problem with that. Orlando wants Chauncey, not Rip. What are they going to do with another perimeter shooter without someone to get him ball?

I hear what you're saying though. But the well was poisoned on this one. Darko has bad memories of the city, the coach, the organization, the media, and the fans. I'm guessing he would rather play Euro ball full-time than come back here. I'm not saying he should feel all this ill will, just that he probably does.

Reddick would be a nice pick-up though.

This is a joke right?

You can forget Darko coming back unless he is willing to play for the Mid-Level Exception. He wouldn't be a starter in Detroit, and he's not going to be paid like one to sit on the bench. We already learned our lesson on paying for play.

In Detroit, the team plays for pay.

And why would we need Reddick? He's a complete defensive liability and hasn't been consistent with his jumper.

Obviously, this won't happen. But I think it would be a good idea. Rip seems to have peaked, and I think he is at his most valuble in terms of trade bait. After signing CB, this team is not going to have many options in upgrading this team, other than a trade.

And I think Darko showed that he may not be a Bosh, but he does have the potential to be a pretty good Center. And good centers aren't cheap.

As for JJ, he doesn't have to play good D. With Flip's zone, his lack of D can be covered by the other players. His ability to knock down the open shot, off the bench, would mesh perfectly with Flips O.

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If C-Webb signs elsewhere or retires, we would be right back at Sq. 1.

DD's not coming back; Darko's already outperforming Dice (who could conceivably opt out of his final year for a longer contract elsewhere); and next up on the depth chart are Nazr "cement gloves" Mohammed, Jason "6-5" Maxiell, and Amir "178 pounds" Johnson.

If Detroit were willing to offer the full MLE and he didn't get offers from any other team in the NBA or comparable compensation from a Euroleague team, he would be our starting center next year.

Darko's qualifying offer is over the MLE. He's staying in Orlando. Whether it is for the price he wants, remains to be seen.

Does this sounds like a guy who would be a good fit for the Pistons?
from the Orlando Sentinel