Detroit Pistons: the 2012-13 season

I could see Stuckey making the All-Rookie team before the other guys.

In the next few years (3-5) it will be none of the above. The talent level of current players is very deep. In a sense, there is every reason to project that a couple of PG within the current lottery will out distance Knight. One never knows.

He certainly had some rough stretches, but if I had to guess a lot of those bad #'s came early on in the year. It seemed like he improved consistently throughout the year.

Also, not to go all Dumars on you, but the game has changed for the PG spot. His low assist #'s bothered me early on until I started noticing Derrick Rose's APG.

I don't think the 2 week pre-season, prior to starting nearly every game at the point, in a condensed season, in a significantly harder league, under a new coach (where every player he was directing was still learning the new systems on the fly) can be stressed enough.

Throw up all those stats above - but he was still the second highest scoring rookie in the league, which was the one thing he could probably control the most considering the obstacles above.

BK will be a great player, hopefully for the Pistons.

Considering the fact that BK grew more as a player in one season that Rodney has in his entire tenure with the Pistons; I'll go with:
1. Knight and unknown 2012 (tie for first).








2. Rodney (distant 2nd)

Nice use of white space.

Knight.

Anybody know when the season schedule usually comes out?

This one surprised me:

Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars hinted that Ben Wallace may return for one more season, and watching the veteran every day in the weight room keeping his body in tip-top shape should be an inspiration.

Potential players:

1. Knight
2. Monroe
3. Drummond
4. Stuckey
5. Prince
6. Maxiel
7. Jerebko
8. Villenueva
9. Magette
10. Bynum
11. Macklin
12. Daye
13. Singler
14. Middleton
15. English
16. Ben Wallace

That is one too many guys.

Questions:
* Will Detroit sign Macklin?
* Will Ben Wallace come back?
* Will the Pistons use their amnesty?
* Will the Pistons sign a free agent? If so, who else will have to go?

Probably one reason Macklin wasn't offered a qualifying offer... and Joe said something about limited spaces so more trades were likely. If we keep Ben for one more year... Macklin really doesn't have a spot to get any mins..

Would like to see CV, Daye, and Bynum sent on there way really... they offer nothing we don't already have IMO, and then get a vet free agent PG that doesn't expect lots of mins.

Situation

This is what we got right now:

BK, Bynum
Stuckey, Kim
Tay, Singler, Khris, Daye, Maggette
JJ, Max, Chaz
GM, Drummond

Guys with unsure future:

Wallace
Macklin

That's 14 players on the roster and the maximum number allowed is 15. The way the roster is structured there is a need for a veteran PG and depth among the bigs. We have 5 SF not counting JJ, smallball Stuck and smallball Kim.

Solution

My priority isn't to maximize the amount of wins during the 2012-13 season, it's long term success. If we make the playoffs, that's fine. If we don't, that's fine. To accomplish this a couple of players need to leave.

First of all, I don't want Chaz and Maggette anywhere near this team so those two are easy picks. Chaz because he's Chaz and Maggette because he's a black hole on offense and he's got no future on this team (I hope). I don't want a guy like that hindering Knight from learning how to run an offense, taking touches away from GM or teaching our young guys how to become a chucker.

I'd love to get rid of Tay but I doubt that is going to happen with Joe as a GM so I guess he'll stay. As long as he's getting fewer minutes I'm fine with this.

Daye is another easy choice. I don't think we can get rid of Maggette without taking any salary back while using the amnesty on Chaz because we'll be under the cap floor (I think it's ~44M). I also don't want to use the amnesty on Chaz and watch Dumars do something stupid like sign Kaman to a multiyear deal but I guess that's a risk no matter when he's amnestied.

So, here is the action list:

-Amnesty Chaz. If he's not amnestied this year, put him in the stands and amnesty him next summer.
-Try to trade Maggette now or after x-mas. If he's not traded now, put him in the stands.
-Get rid of Daye for whatever we can get for him. If we can't get a 2nd for him, give him away for free.

-Sign a vet PG. I don't know who but someone like Heinrich, Miller etc. It might be difficult to persuade a guy like that to come to Detroit for this role and if so, add a crappier vet just to provide some depth. If Joe can't find one of those, call Chucky Atkins.
-Sign a depth PF/C. I could see us going two ways here, either adding a depth player with some value longterm like Mahinmi, Speights, Randolph, R Lopez or adding a cheaper solution like Amundsen, Fesenko, Reggie Evans or Aaron Gray. Perhaps even keeping Wallace for another season? As much as I like V-Mack he doesn't seem to be in Franks plans. I wouldn't mind if this spot is filled by Wallace or V-Mack but only if that's plan C.

-I also wouldn't mind to get rid of Bynum for a late 2nd rounder or w/e and pick up a guy like Machado but that would just be a bonus.

So this is how the team would look like:

BK, vet, Bynum
Stuckey, Kim
Tay, Singler, Khris
JJ, Max
GM, Drummond, depth PF/C

In the stands or somewhere else: Chaz, Maggette
Gone: Daye

If Drummond improves alot he might start at the C during the second half of the season and GM slides over to the PF. As long as he averages over 20 minutes this season I'm fine.

Depending on the strides of BK, GM and AD this may be a late lottery team or a 1st round loss. If it's a late lottery team we'll be armed with a lottery pick and a huge amount of cap space going into 2013. If it's a playoff team we'll enter 2013 without a 1st but as a better team, some playoff experience and a huge amount of cap space. The way the draft has worked out for us since GM and the trade of Bengo really makes the future look brighter. With Daye and Chaz gone we've ridden the team from the main softies and there are alot of guys on this roster I'd enjoy rooting for.

I'm kind of excited, I've been waiting almost 2 years for this feeling to return! Some things to point out:

1. Max earned his paycheck last season, he was solid as our starting PF and he never once cheated this team like CV and Ben Gordon. Max is also in a contract year with LOTS of competition on this roster, since Max has been a Piston, he has NEVER failed to deliver when he HAD to, he will play his butt off this season and earn another payday (hopefully somewhere else)
2. Everything I said about Max can be said about Will Bynum. Will is also in a contract year, he will be a FORCE coming off the bench trying to earn another multi year contract (hopefully somewhere else)
3. Corey Maggette is also in a contract year, and he KNOWS how to excel in that situation. Keep in mind, when healthy and focused......Maggette is a VERY good player who can get you 15ppg.......something Tay has NEVER done. Also keep in mind how much PT Wilkins got last year.......Corey Maggette is A LOT better option and if we trade Tay it doesn't leave a huge void at the SF position.
4. Greg Monroe is also in a (quasi) contract year. He has the opportunity to play himself into an extension so that he doesn't have to bother with being a Restricted Free Agent, most guys in his position prefer to get the extension prior to their final year and I believe this will serve the team well.
5. Stuckey signed a 3 year deal and only has 2 left, he's in the same predicament as Monroe, in a sense that this is a contract year for him too if he wants to sign an early extension as opposed to hitting the market as a RFA.
6. If Joe can FINALLY admit that Ben Gordon was a mistake, I'm sure he HAS to feel that way about Chaz! If he was willing to part with a 1st rd draft pick to get rid of Gordon, I'm sure they should have NO PROBLEM releasing Charlie.

1. Deron Williams, G, Brooklyn Nets: The cream of this class's crop, Williams is a 3-time All-Star looking to put the pieces back together after getting blindsided by a trade in 2011. A physical point guard capable of scoring and making plays for others, he's the one true star in this class who is in the prime of his career. He's reportedly narrowed his list to two teams: the Nets and the Dallas Mavericks. -- BG

2. Eric Gordon, G, New Orleans Hornets: Gordon sat out a vast majority of the 2011-12 season with a knee injury, but his abilty to score and shoot will command a maximum salary offer (or close to it) At 23, the best is still yet to come and all signs point to the Hornets retaining him to position him as the outside complement to the inside presence of presumptive No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis. -- BG

3. Kevin Garnett, F, Boston Celtics: A perennial All-Star, Garnett shifted seemlessly to the center position as the Celtics were hit with a slew of injuries in 2011-12. He regularly posted 20/10s in the playoffs and had Boston within one win of an appearance in the 2012 NBA Finals. The Celtics' only competition for his services seems to be a possible retirement, as KG just turned 36. -- BG

4. Tim Duncan, F, San Antonio Spurs: Another aging but incredibly productive big man, Duncan, like Garnett, was knocking on the door of another Finals appearance before the Thunder rudely intervened. At 36, Duncan definitely has some good basketball left, after having his playing time reduced during the last two seasons and with Spurs guard Tony Parker emerging. -- BG

5. Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers: Free agency couldn't come at a better time for the massive Hibbert, who had a big stage to shine on during Indiana's postseason run after posting career-best numbers (12.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks) in 2011-12. The fact that he's missed just three games total in the last three games combined helps ensure that he will get a major pay day. -- BG

6. Steve Nash, G, Phoenix Suns: After years of trade rumors, Nash finally hits the market as an unrestricted free agent, facing a tough decision: take a discount to play for a title contender or find a spot that offers the best financial offer with a shot at making a playoff run. He's 38 years old, so the stakes couldn't be higher. -- BG

7. JaVale McGee, C, Denver Nuggets: McGee transformed from a laughingstock to a promising laughingstock by virtue of a midseason trade that sent him from the Washington Wizards to the Denver Nuggets. His gag reel is as long as his highlight reel but he was dominant during stretches of Denver's playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Upside always comes with a cost. -- BG

8. Ryan Anderson, F, Orlando Magic: Anderson, 24, had a career year, scoring 16.1 points and shooting 39.3 percent from deep, while winning the NBA's Most Improved Player award. He fizzled a bit against the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs, though, which cut into his offseason buzz. After acquiring him as a trade throw-in, the Magic, even under new management, are surely highly motivated to retain him through to his prime. -- BG

9. Nicolas Batum, F, Portland Trail Blazers: A Frenchman known for his silky two-way play, Batum has said there's a "99 percent" chance he returns to Portland. He was the victim of a positional logjam with Gerald Wallace last season but that was cleared with a midseason trade. The Blazers will now ask the 23-year-old Batum to shoulder a much larger burden. -- BG

10. Jason Terry, G, Dallas Mavericks: Known for his big shot-making, his equally big personality and his instant offense off the bench, Terry could be in for a new home after an 8-year run in Dallas. -- BG

11. Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets: If Lopez were rebounding, he might just be the prize of this class. Instead, he's a seven-footer that averages 20 points a game and teams are iffy on. -- RY

12. Ray Allen, G, Boston Celtics: Allen is set to have offseason surgery on his ankle and while he's rapidly advancing in age, he can still shoot. And anyone likes a good shooter. -- RY

13. Jeremy Lin, G, New York Knicks: The Knicks are in a tricky situation with Lin as in if they want to commit to him as their full-time starter, but caught a break in arbitration. -- RY

14. Gerald Wallace, F, Brooklyn Nets: He's already said to be opting out, because he's in search of at least one more big contract. -- RY

15. Goran Dragic, G, Houston Rockets: The Rockets seem to be committing to him as their point guard of the future, but will have to pay Dragic like a starter if they want to keep him. -- RY

16. Ersan Ilyasova, F, Milwaukee Bucks: His market value is still a little fuzzy, but at the right price, Ilyasova could turn into the steal of this free agent class. -- RY

17. Jason Kidd, G, Dallas Mavericks: Kidd has already conceded he's not starter material anymore but in terms of a backup point guard, I'm not sure you can do much better.-- RY

18. O.J. Mayo, G, Memphis Grizzlies: Mayo has yet to really find his place in the league as a scorer. He was mainly deployed as a spot up shooter in Memphis and if a team looks to deploy him more as a wing scorer, he could fit well with someone. -- RY

19. Brandon Bass, F, Boston Celtics: With a big postseason performance, Bass raised his stock and could be looking at a quality offer. He's a good jumpshooting big, can rebound and though he lacks size, has a little versatility to make up for it. -- RY

20. Mo Williams, G, Los Angeles Clippers: For a while, Williams made a run at Sixth Man of the Year but his second half of the season slowed down. In the right situation where he can score, he's a solid addition for a lot of teams. -- RY

21. Andre Miller, G, Denver Nuggets: His age is advancing and while he might not necessarily be starter material anymore, he's a savvy vet that can still create, score and of course, throw an absolutely perfect lob. -- RY

22. Omer Asik, C, Chicago Bulls: Quietly, Asik turned into one of the better interior defenders in the league. His issue is that he contributes almost nothing offensively, but in terms of frontline size, he's a in the top tier in this class. -- RY

23. Kris Humphries, F, Brooklyn Nets: Humphries has become a double-double machine and for a team not looking for scoring inside but instead mainly defense and rebounding, he could carry some value. -- RY

24. Jeff Green, F, Boston Celtics: Obviously the biggest question with Green is his health after missing the entire 2011-12 season because of heart surgery. But assuming he's healthy and back to form, he could be a key addition to a number of teams because of his versatility. -- RY

25. George Hill, G, Indiana Pacers: Hill moved into the starting role down the stretch for the Pacers, who acquired him via a Draft day trade. One would assume Indiana, blessed with significant cap space this summer, is well-positioned and motivated to retain him. -- BG

26. Lou Williams, G, Philadelphia 76ers: If you look around and realize that you need a bench scorer who shot 40 percent fom the field last year... you may have some bigger issues to work out with your team psychologist. -- MM

27. Aaron Brooks, G, Phoenix Suns: Remember him? Bailed for China in the lockout? Got stuck in the playoffs? Firebug point guard the Rockets moved on from? Brooks is inefficient but can get the job done in a pinch. -- MM

28. Ramon Sessions, G, Los Angeles Lakers: Such high expectations. Such a terrible playoffs run. Sessions' offense vanished in the playoffs but he'll still fetch a good price on the market. -- MM

29. Nick Young, G, Los Angeles Clippers: The biggest shots Young hit in the playoffs were transition catch-and-shoot fadeaway threes falling out of bounds. Yup. -- MM

30. Jamal Crawford, G, Portland Trail Blazers: Crawford wanted a big long-term contract from Atlanta where he was a hero in 2011. Instead he got a short-term contract with Portland where he was part of one of the most disappointing teams of the season. Juuuuust a bit outside. -- MM

31. J.R. Smith, G, New York Knicks: Smith actually defended pretty well for the Knicks last year. He comes with risks, to say the least, but if you can find a coach to connect with him, he can turn a game around for you. -- MM

32. Carl Landry, F, New Orleans Hornets: Dude played after having teeth in his arm. Teeth. -- MM

33. Antawn Jamison, F, Cleveland Cavaliers: Quality locker room guy, played surprisingly well for Cleveland. As a bench scorer, could make a big difference. -- MM

34. Jameer Nelson, G, Orlando Magic: This guy was an All-Star once. No kidding. -- MM

35. Chris Kaman, C, New Orleans Hornets: Also once an All-Star. Then he was untradeable last year. But he hustles and is a veteran big in a league that covets them. -- MM

36. Marcus Camby, C, Houston Rockets: Old man can still rebound and play defense. Understands his role. -- MM

37. Michael Beasley, F, Minnesota Timberwolves: Can you really put a price on goofball guys capable of putting up an empty 40 any night of the week? -- MM

38. Robin Lopez, C, Phoenix Suns: Tall. -- MM

39. Delonte West, G, Dallas Mavericks: Is the baggage worth it? Depends on how you interpret things. -- MM

40. Grant Hill, F, Phoenix Suns: You're not going to find a better locker room guy on this list. -- MM

That was the top 40 free agents from cbssports.com. Looks like Kevin Garnett is gone, so make that 39.

If the Pistons signed one of these guys, which one should it be?

With the wonderful new logjam at the big spot, I can't imagine Villanueva staying for two more years. He'll get amnestied.
Magette will be a trade-deadline deal.
I'd love to see Wallace back as at least an assistant coach of some type.

1: Knight
1/2: Stuckey, Bynum
2: Magette, English
2/3: Daye
3: Prince, Middleton, Singler
3/4: Jerebko
4: Maxiell, Macklin
4/5: Monroe
5: Drummond
(Once again, this team is pretty darn balanced).

According the the Det News the Pistons will not be amnestying Chuckles.

I think Joe D is too proud/stubborn to admit to all of these mistakes.