Basically, anybody that's worth considering for the Pistons are restricted. There are a couple of guys left that that we probably won't get like Josh Smith, and there are some underrated like CJ Miles who we're reportedly planning an offer to.

But how about:

1. Shaun Livingston? His rights were renounced by the Clippers so they could still trade him in a sign and trade unless he signs for the minimum, but here is a former 4th pick with talent, handles, and could be a player IF he is healthy.

2. Andre Iguodala? Can we get the guy into a Pistons uniform? I'd like him here. Athletic. Improving. Hustle and Defense. I'd love to see us pry him away from Philly with Brand signing on.

3. Emeka Okafor? I don't think we can get him from Charlotte but we've been doing make-believe trades with him in it since the start of the offseason, so why take him off the list now?

4. Luol Deng? No noise about him, so how about Deng in a Detroit uniform? Probably won't get him from the Bulls though.

5. Nenad Krstic? Still has the potential to be a good big man on any team. Lost confidence has to be found.

Who else? Take your pick. Andris Biedrins. Monta Ellis. Ben Gordon. Josh Childress. Josh Smith. Kelenna Azubuike. Walter Hermann.

Hey Joe, nothing much happening on the Pistons front so that leaves us to do all this speculation stuff that we love doing.

Of the players you mentioned my thoughts are:

Livingston: WHY were his rights renounced by the Clips? Usually, a former #4 pick doesn't have his rights renounced unless he is prohibitively injured. That knee was EXTREMELY painful to watch. In fact, I almost puked!

Iguodala: I don't see us being able to offer him what he can get elsewhere unless it's through a sign and trade. Philly just got stronger so I don't think they will want to do Joe any favors.

Okafor: Here is a sign and trade possibility. Joe would just have to come up with the right balance of talent to offer for him without losing a step. He wouldn't come cheap.

Deng: Don't see it happening but I wouldn't mind seeing him get some of Tay's minutes but then again the Palace Prince would probably need to be a part of any deal for Deng.

Kristic: He's got size but he's softer than a pillow and that doesn't work too well in the rough 'n' tumble EC. Still, Sheed or Dyess or whoever happens to be around after we trade for him could possibly toughen him up. If that happens, the kid could be somethin' special.

All-in-all, I think our best bet is to sign a cheap but productive role player and aim for a blockbuster trade to land that "impact" player or "superstar". Whatever Joe does, I think our days of being a "lock" to get to the ECF are behind us.

P.S. Sorry about all of the "quotations".

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“It’s all (bleeping) entertainment.” ~ Sheed

I would love to have Shane Battier in pistons red and blue. At least he wants to play in the D.

Josh Smith would be my second choice

Nenad Kristic

Shaun Livingston because he can do so much if healthy

J Richardson & Gerald Wallace in the form of a trade

I'm surprized Deng isn't getting any play.

He turned down $50 mil contract, would you think he'd be interested in MLE?

Wasn't Deng typically a "no show" against Prince and the Pistons in recent playoff matchups?

One might even say "Dang, is Deng dung? Why isn't he getting any Dough?".

Well if he is dung, then he's related to G.Turd.
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He turned down $50M ? Where did you hear that ?

Deng just announced in his podcast he wants 12.5 mil per year

Yes

It's been reported in all the CHI papers. Deng said himself that he turned a deal down, and there was a rumor about him possibly regretting it.

Well the Clippers had to renounce at least 3-4 scrubs to make a run at Josh Smith. Livingston was one of them, but not sure if it was because they knew his his knee was rehabing to slow or not. No one around here is talking