You may have heard about the Rasheed Wallace for Elton Brand rummer. This is a bad idea. A panic move. Prior to Brands streak of injuries he was one of the top post-up power forwards in the league. And if he was available for 3 years 30 million he would be a deal. However, as of now, he refuses to run the floor and his stats are declining on a team with less talent then the Pistons. Not to mention he has trouble staying healthy. Plus his contract runs through the 2012/13 season @ over 18 million. By then we'll be wishing we still had a 38 year old Wallace. Trust me, we should let him stay Philly's problem.
As I have stated in recant posts, Joe Dumars is going to entertain the notion that Puppet Boy (Micheal Curry) will be able to convince his players they have the most talented team in the NBA. If they would just play Piston basketball and put together a good solid win streak, they could gel as one well oiled machine and take the League by storm. Then Iverson and McDyess will finally wear that oval prize of the NBA elite.
Dumars will fight to keep his composure until right around All-Star Weekend. At this time he will decide weather his current team has a chance to make it to the finals. If there is a trade scenario that can put said team in the upper echelon (star big man). Or, make moves for the future. All three options have the chance to be successful ones provided he plays it smart. For instance, trading Rip Hamilton, the coveted Amir Johnson and draft picks, for Bosh, Boozer or Stoudemire.
If Dumars isn't planning on resigning his two expiring contracts, there's one option know one seems to be discussing. Trade off Sheed and A.I. to contenders for 1st round draft picks. This would be a white flag move, but the future would be bright. There are teams out there that are willing to take the luxury tax - cap hit. Examples would include Minnesota for one. After that beet down Sheed put on them, they just might be interested in giving up one of the 3 (possibly 4) 1st rounders they have stock piled for the 2009 NBA draft. San Antonio also might take a chance for the same price. And I know Larry Brown would jump at the opportunity to have Sheed, Okafor and J.Wallace @ the 3-4-5 for the last half of the season. Now there's Iverson. I've figured it out. Trade Iverson to the Utah Jazz for a 1st rounder or two. I believe they would take the 8-9 million dollar cap hit to have Williams, A.I., AK-47, Boozer and Okur as their starting 5, and one hell of a bench.
If options 1 and 2 don't pan out, I like the idea of having three 1st rounders and a tun of cabbage to play with during this off season. Plus there's a kicker. It's likely we would still make the playoffs. Wouldn't it be fun to watch the likes of Stuckey, Afflalo, Johnson and maybe even Sharp in a playoff series. Then Joe D. would know exactly what moves he needs to make for the new and improved Detroit Pistons.
All I'm saying, is this is still an exiting time for Pistons fans, if Dumars plays his proverbial cards right.
-Will they Gel and win?
-Will they make a trade to get a Bosh, Stoudemire or Boozer type player?
-Will they start planning for the future in free agency and the draft?
What do you think?
