Where Do The Detroit Pistons Go From Here?

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Where Do The Detroit Pistons Go From Here?
(Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)

After making a huge splash in the free agency market, the Detroit Pistons still have some unfinished business awaiting.

Currently, the Pistons boast six players who will receive a majority of the playing time—Rodney Stuckey, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Kwame Brown and newcomers Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.  Jason Maxiell, Will Bynum and Arron Afflalo will play critical roles within the rotation as well.

However, most are unsatisfied with the current product and do believe that more moves are essential to the rebuilding process.

Tyson Chandler seems to be the name that is being mentioned the most when it comes to finding the inside presence that the Pistons currently lack.  

The Hornets are actively shopping Chandler, which puzzles me as to why Dumars hasn't cashed in on the opportunity to land a defensive, high-flying center for less than he would have to give up for another of the same caliber.

A potential trade that was proposed by some insiders would send Kwame Brown and Jason Maxiell to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler, and maybe even Julian Wright.

Now, I have no problem with the Pistons making such a trade, under one stipulation: The Pistons' medical staff needs to be very thorough in any examination of Chandler if a trade is in fact made.  

If you don't remember, a trade sending Chandler to Oklahoma City was nixed by the Thunder after Chandler failed the physical.

If he does pass the physical and is deemed healthy, then I would applaud the Pistons for making such a move.

The Pistons probably missed their opportunity to nab current Clipper Chris Kaman now that Zach Randolph was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.  However, I wouldn't necessarily dislike a trade for Marcus Camby.

He's very old, and probably close to retiring, but he could come in here and play a nice role until his contract expires at the end of next year.  Then, the Pistons could part ways with him and pursue Tyson Chandler in free agency.  

If the Pistons were to make such a move, and had a lineup of Stuckey, Hamilton, Prince, Villanueva, and Chandler with Gordon as the sixth man, I would agree that the team has made a successful turnaround in terms of talent.

Yet, that is just one scenario.  Another way that the Pistons could address their lack of a big man would be to trade current two-guard Richard Hamilton.

There have been some rumblings of a Hamilton-Boozer swap, though I wouldn't see why Utah would be willing to do such a deal.  Their main concern was Boozer's contract on their payroll for the upcoming year.  Hamilton has four years left on his contract, which wouldn't make sense for the Jazz financially.

Yet, the Jazz do need to do something, because if they don't make some move and surround Deron Williams with talent, he could be on his way out of Utah as well.

There is no easy way to fix the Pistons.  They quickly spent the bulk of their available money this year for two players who will provide them with inconsistent scoring and little defense.  

Now, the Pistons have a large gap in the middle, which isn't the smartest thing due to the lack of true centers in the NBA.

Rebuilding a team in one year seems outrageous, and yet, the Pistons are aiming to complete such a feat.  Great teams begin their renovations within the draft by choosing a franchise player and then surrounding that player with talent.

Financially, it's the best way to be successful and it makes that team look that much more appealing when it is time to rebuild once again.

The Pistons have some work to do, but not as much financial flexibility as they did 96 hours ago.  My question to you is, what do you think the Pistons should do with the $3-$4 million remaining and an abundance of guards?

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