Pistons to go trade route, not free agency
June 30, 2008 by James Edwards
Filed under Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince
NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.
Joe Dumars admits it is not a big year for free agents.
“With all due respect to the free agents out there, this is not one of the stronger classes,” Dumars said earlier this month. “So that’s why I’d emphasize more trade now than any other time.”
This unrestricted class is highlighted by Washington Wizards forward Antawn Jamison and guard Gilbert Arenas, and includes Boston Celtics forward James Posey, New Jersey center DeSagana Diop, Clippers guard Corey Maggette and center Elton Brand, and Sacramento forward Ron Artest. Some of those players are still deciding whether to opt out of the final years of their deals. They have until Monday to make the call.
Out of that group, who would belong in a Pistons uniform? Posey, maybe? Brand, maybe? Both would cost too much for what they bring.
Undersized but hard to stop Elton Brand shoots over Jermaine O’Neal, the newest Toronto Raptor
Image details: Indiana Pacers v Los Angeles Clippers served by picapp.com
And what about the Pistons free agents?
The Pistons have five free agents from last season’s roster — small forwards Hayes and Walter Herrmann, guards Juan Dixon and Lindsey Hunter and center Theo Ratliff — to possibly negotiate with.
The Walter Sharpe draft pick means Hayes or Herrmann or both are gone. Dixon never proved out. Hunter was fantastic in the playoffs and is talking one more year, before taking a seat in the front office. Ratliff is a great cheap big body for games like playing Dwight Howard and the Magic.
Joe D is looking to shake up the team with a trade and not try to sign a free agent.
As always, any NBA Basketball related comments are welcome.
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i hope juan dixon goes to the 76ers. he will definitely get playing time off the bench and hopefully in the starting 5. he’s one of my favorite players i enjoy watching. so pleeeeeeeease more p.t. for juan! oh, he’s soooooooooo hot!!!!!!!!
uhh, never quite looked at him that way.