Who Will The Pistons Pick Up?

                                            WHO WILL THE PISTONS PICK UP?
    

     Since July 8th, the NBA has seen multiple trades, free agents signings, and personnel moves in the front office of organizations, making it one of the busiest off-seasons for the league in recent memory. Most notably of course is the Miami Heat’s blockbuster that landed them the NBA’s new “Big Three” (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh). Other teams though have also made significant improvements to their rosters. The Chicago Bulls brought in Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, and Ronnie Brewer from the Utah Jazz and are on the verge of signing the former two-time scoring champion Tracy McGrady. You also have the Boston Celtics signing Jermaine O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers signing Matt Barnes and Steve Blake, and the New York Knicks nabbing Ama’re Stoudemire and Raymond Felton.

      So as I look back on all of these free agent moves and transactions, I then look at my hometown team that I almost forgot about. The Detroit Pistons have been the quietest team in my view this current off-season. The fact that Ben Wallace and the probable return of Will Bynum to the team as our free agent moves is deplorable to say the least. With the need of a legit big man and someone who can just outright score, one should wonder if the Pistons have reached out to veterans such as Shaquille O’Neal or the dreaded thought I had, an Allen Iverson return to the city. At this point as a fan, any move to me would show that the organization is headed in some kind of direction. Instead, the Pistons are a team of undersized Power Forwards and Centers, a guard in Ben Gordon who is streaky at best, and a guard in Rip Hamilton who can’t create his own shot. Tayshaun Prince is the only bright spot on this Pistons roster so far this upcoming season and sadly, it’s not because of his on-court ability.

      Prince, the best defender and most reliable player on the team, has an expiring contract that would make him a viable trade asset if you can package him with a Ben Gordon or a Rip Hamilton. Trading Prince would make the most sense because the Pistons would be able to get decent players to build the team back with instead of letting Prince walk at the end of the season and having nothing to show for it. Honestly, the Pistons should look at the possibility of bringing in Josh Howard, who is currently still a free agent. Howard, the former NBA All-Star, who once averaged 20 points and 7 rebounds per game player. Signing him to the mid level exception or veteran minimum (which ever is available), would be a win-win situation. The Pistons would benefit if he is able to show half of the talent he once displayed being a Dallas Maverick as he will infuse a roster that is in need of scoring and rebounding. Howard would benefit of coming to a team and city that appreciates its role players and it would be a fresh start over for his recently injury ridden career. And with the Pistons having the Arnie Kander, who is touted as the best trainer in the league, Howard could resurface back to the spotlight form he showed in 2007. Either way it goes, the Pistons need to do something or else they will be looking at another season where they are playing for a lottery draft pick.



BY: KORY WOODS (@UMG_KWOODS)