Dumars Not Looking For Free Agents - Detroit Pistons Fan Community

NTC · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 07:12 PM

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Tuesday marks the start of free-agent season.

That's the day free agents are officially free to negotiate with other teams. They can begin signing with new teams July 9.

The Pistons have their mid-level (roughly $6 million) and veterans ($2 million) exceptions available, but it's doubtful they will use all of it. Two reasons for that: This isn't a bumper crop for free agents, and their first priority is to see what they can do trade-wise.

Also, though the Pistons are safely under the luxury tax threshold right now, they do plan on giving Jason Maxiell a contract extension this summer. Depending on what other roster changes get made, that would put them very close to the tax line.

Joe Dumars said he most likely wouldn't be looking to use the full mid-level exception, so that takes the Pistons out of the running for some of the bigger names on the market (Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas, Elton Brand, Ron Artest and DeSagana Diop, to name just a few).

Dumars also said he wouldn't even delve into the free-agent market until he exhausted all of the possible trade scenarios -- and that could go deep into the summer and into the fall. The free-agent market could be well picked over by that time.

As for the Pistons' own free agents, it is highly unlikely Jarvis Hayes or Juan Dixon will be re-signed. Both will be unrestricted free agents.
There's still a chance the Pistons could bring Walter Herrmann back, but he does have seven-figure offers to play in Europe. How draft pick Walter Sharpe looks in the summer league could determine how strongly the Pistons go after Herrmann.

There's a strong chance that Theo Ratliff could return. He has been contemplating retirement, but the Pistons would like to bring him back as their fifth big man.

Lindsey Hunter, too, has been contemplating retirement. Initially, he was expected to return as a member of Michael Curry's coaching staff. That didn't happen.

Now, Hunter is considering the possibility of playing one more season.

Free-agent time likely to be slow for Pistons

anakin · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 07:20 PM

I read this as Joe is going cheap again.

raxrets · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 07:49 PM

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Originally Posted by anakin

I read this as Joe is going cheap again.

Pessimistic? Realistically, all those Brands, Diops, etc, are out of reach for midlevel. Rest of bunch are like "Arvis"( few exceptions, of course).

At this time dumars has probably analyzed FA market and knows how things are.

Latinoking90 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 07:51 PM

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Originally Posted by anakin

I read this as Joe is going cheap again.

Agreed, he promised breaking the core, but it seems like he won't. Maybe he's hoping Curry will make the team hungry again.

armygirl · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 07:54 PM

I took this as Joe probably will make a blockbuster trade which I think will happen soon after the clock strikes midnight. Keeping my fingers crossed anyway.

anakin · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 08:14 PM

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Originally Posted by raxrets

Pessimistic? Realistically, all those Brands, Diops, etc, are out of reach for midlevel. Rest of bunch are like "Arvis"( few exceptions, of course).

At this time dumars has probably analyzed FA market and knows how things are.

How about Pietrus, Posey, Ricky Davis? The FA is weak, but I want Joe to go after the best available player w/o a pre-conceived decision on how much he is worth. Need to crack a few eggs to make an omlette. Getting a good bench player is important in addition to a good trade.

Slippy · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 08:22 PM

Would signing a crappy FA this season handicap our efforts next year when better talent is available? If we keep sheed, his 14 mil comes off the books. We could have a shot at some decent 2nd tier FA's

roscoe36 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 08:27 PM

What the hell is going on! Hunter coming back?

AAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH H!

Slippy · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 08:30 PM

link?

raxrets · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anakin

How about Pietrus, Posey, Ricky Davis? The FA is weak, but I want Joe to go after the best available player w/o a pre-conceived decision on how much he is worth. Need to crack a few eggs to make an omlette. Getting a good bench player is important in addition to a good trade.

Agreed, but most of good players demand more than mid level - Antawan Jamis on just got signed 4y50mil.