Offseason Outlook: Detroit Pistons
Guaranteed Contracts
- Ben Gordon ($12,400,000)
- Rodney Stuckey ($8,500,000)
- Charlie Villanueva ($8,060,000)
- Tayshaun Prince ($6,764,045)
- Jonas Jerebko ($4,500,000)
- Will Bynum ($3,250,000)
- Greg Monroe ($3,217,680)
- Austin Daye ($2,958,077)
- Brandon Knight ($2,678,640)
- (Richard Hamilton – $6,069,767)
Options
- Jason Maxiell ($5,000,000, Player)
Non-Guaranteed Contracts
- None
Free Agents (Cap Holds)
- Ben Wallace ($4,268,160)
- Vernon Macklin ($937,195 – QO)
- Walker Russell ($937,195 – QO)
Draft Picks
- 1st Round (Pending lottery; 1.7% chance at first overall pick)
- 2nd Round (39th overall)
- 2nd Round (44th overall)
Cap Outlook
- Guaranteed Salary (including options): $63,398,209
- Non-Guaranteed Salary, Cap Holds: $6,142,550
- Total (not including draft picks): $69,540,759
On February 1st, the Pistons were a 4-20 team, a mere half-game ahead of the lowly Bobcats and seemingly headed for a high lottery pick. The squad that played .500 ball (21-21) over the rest of the season is closer to what GM Joe Dumars and the front office expects to see from the Pistons in 2012/13.
With nine players on guaranteed deals, and Jason Maxiell a decent bet to pick up his $5MM player option and return, the Pistons' roster for next season figures to look similar to 2011/12's team. And if the Pistons of the second half show up, a mostly-unchanged roster isn't necessarily a bad thing. Young players like Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe continue to develop into strong NBA regulars, and the Pistons figure to add another lottery pick to the roster this summer.
Even with a free agent splash unlikely, the Pistons will face decisions on whether to be active on the trade market or use their amnesty provision. Dumars figures to explore every possible trade avenue, with Rodney Stuckey, Jonas Jerebko, Will Bynum, and Austin Daye among the players that could be discussed. Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva won't have trade value, but are candidates to be amnestied if the Pistons want to clear some cap room.
Of course, teams generally only make use of the amnesty provision for extremely unpalatable contracts or if they need to clear room to make another move. With Richard Hamilton's buyout still on their books, Maxiell potentially opting in, and a ninth overall pick adding another $2MM or so to the payroll, the Pistons' 2012/13 salary will likely exceed $65MM even before the team fills out its last few roster spots. Amnestying Gordon or Villanueva wouldn't create the necessary cap space to affect the team's free agent plans, so I wouldn't expect either player to be released unless Detroit is worried about hitting the luxury tax threshold.
All but assured a top-ten draft pick, the Pistons are in a good position to add size in June. Power forward is the draft's deepest position and the Pistons' greatest need. Even if Detroit stays put in the lottery and picks ninth, intriguing big men like Perry Jones III, Terrence Jones, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller, and John Henson could be available. While Dumars has indicated the team may just select the best available player, there's a good chance that player could be a big man anyway.
With limited cap flexibility, the Pistons won't be a player for major free agents this summer, but they have enough trade assets to still have an eventful offseason. Expecting a playoff berth for Detroit next season may be a little too optimistic, unless the team can find a significant upgrade in the draft or on the trade market. But the squad that started 2011/12 by losing 20 of 24 games should be a distant memory when next season gets underway.
Storytellers Contracts and Sham Sports were used in the creation of this post.
Odds & Ends: Blazers, Hibbert, Bulls, Farmar
Tonight we saw the 76ers and Celtics advance to the second round in a pair of closely-contested Game 6s. Here are some links from around the Association as we wait to see if the Lakers can put the Nuggets away in Denver..
- The Blazers hope to bring former first-round picks Joel Freeland and Victor Claver on to the roster for next season, writes Joe Freeman of The Oregonian.
- The Rockets could have interest in Pacers big man Roy Hibbert as he enters restricted free agency, writes Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld. However, it seems that Indiana is prepared to match any offer that isn't unreasonable.
- When asked if the Bulls should keep their core in tact this summer, Joakim Noah responded, "I'm not the GM," tweets Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com.
- Nets guard Jordan Farmar wants to be a starter and wasn't terribly happy with his role last season, tweets Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. However, it's unlikely that Farmar will decline his $4.25MM player option.
- Most agree that the Pistons' main need in the draft is another big man to pair alongside center Greg Monroe, but team president Joe Dumars says that isn't neccessarily the case, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. Ellis writes that it wouldn't be a shock to see Detroit tab a shooter like North Carolina's Harrison Barnes if they don't like any of the big men on the board.
- One Western Conference exec told Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (via Twitter) that there is no way that Columbus will land an NBA franchise. Earlier today, we learned that the mayor of Columbus has informed David Stern that his city is interested in adding an NBA team.
Odds & Ends: Olympics, Singleton, Jazz, Maxiell
There are 53 days remaining until 2012's free agent period gets underway, as Hoops Rumors continues to examine the stock of many of this summer's top available players. While we think we have a good idea of players' values heading into the offseason, there's no telling how high the bidding might go for certain free agents. Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld takes an early look at what players might benefit from an overly aggressive suitor or two, naming 12 candidates to be overpaid in free agency.
Here are a few other odds and ends from around the NBA:
- NBA commissioner David Stern told Jim Rome on Tuesday that the league will consider implementing a shorter season in the future, though he cautioned that there would be plenty of complications. Beckley Mason and Henry Abbott of ESPN's TrueHoop have the details.
- Team France has named its preliminary 18-man roster for the 2012 London Olympics. Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today tweets that the NBA players on the list include Nicolas Batum, Rodrigue Beaubois, Ian Mahinmi, Joakim Noah, Tony Parker, Kevin Seraphin, and Ronny Turiaf.
- The Wizards are interested in bringing back unrestricted free agent James Singleton, according to Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
- Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune doesn't think the Jazz's personnel is quite as "perfect" going forward as Derrick Favors believes.
- Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars reiterated to Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press that he'd love to have Jason Maxiell back next season. Maxiell holds a $5MM player option for 2012/13 and recently hired agent Andy Miller.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd is heading to the Hall of Fame soon. We just don't know where he's going on the way there. While both the Mavs and Kidd have reportedly indicated a willingness for him to return as a backup next year, it's unclear whether Dallas will be willing to meet his salary demands. Chris Mannix of SI.com reported earlier this week that Kidd is seeking a deal worth about the mid-level exception amount of $5MM a year. The Mavs figure to have plenty of cap room, but any team would be wary of paying that amount to a player who'll turn 40 before next season ends.
Kidd's skills have been in decline for a while now, and the aspect of his game that appeared to take the most significant step back is his playmaking ability, as he dropped from 8.2 APG to a career-low 5.5 this year. The improved outside shot that allowed him to shoot over 40% from three-point range his first three seasons in Dallas has been absent the last two years, as he's shot just 34.5% on treys. He still rebounds at a high rate for a point guard, grabbing 5.2 per 36 minutes this season, but it hasn't kept him from putting up a career-low PER (13.1) for the second year in a row. Perhaps his saving grace has been the ability to force turnovers. He led all postseason performers with 40 steals last year, and through Saturday he was doing so again this year, with 12 steals in four games. Steals, however, don't necessarily mean you're a quality defender, and Mavs coach Rick Carlisle uses cross-matches or a zone to make sure Kidd doesn't have to defend quick point guards.
It's likely most teams will find Kidd's greatest value is his ability to mentor a younger point guard in a role similar to the one Derek Fisher is playing in Oklahoma City. That's clearly what the Mavs have in mind when they think about bringing him back in the hopes that Deron Williams signs to take over the starting role. Kidd has had a Hall of Fame career and owns an NBA championship ring from last season, so he knows what it takes to succeed in the NBA. Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News group said earlier this week the Warriors will explore signing Kidd, a Bay Area native, but that's probably contingent on the unlikely event that Deron Williams signs with Golden State, too. Tayshaun Prince called upon the Pistons to go after a veteran point guard to mentor Brandon Knight, so maybe Kidd heads to Detroit. The Cavs, with young Kyrie Irving in tow, could use some of their ample cap space to go after Kidd, since even at his advanced age, he probably represents an upgrade over current backup point guard Donald Sloan. Kidd could also wind up as Williams' backup in Brooklyn instead of Dallas, as Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com suggests. Both point guards are clients of agent Jeff Schwartz.
Caplan's story also reports that Kidd would like to play two more seasons, which refutes the report earlier in the week from Mannix that Kidd will retire if he doesn't get that mid-level deal. Kidd doesn't think he'll be waiting too long, telling Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News, "I'll land somewhere early, I would think." If that's the case, it suggests Kidd won't wait for Deron Williams to decide where he's going. Judging by his comments this week, my guess is he and the Mavs have talked about a deal and are haggling over specifics. If that's the case, I think Kidd's path to Springfield will continue to detour through Dallas.
Odds & Ends: Wallace, Draft, Raptors, Blazers
Thursday afternoon links from around the NBA:
- Ben Wallace is still on the fence about retirement, Pistons teammates Tayshaun Prince tells Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. "One side is telling him it is time to spend time with the family and relax a little bit," Prince said. "And then the other side is saying I still have more left in the tank."
- With the NBA having officially released the full list of early entrants for June's draft, Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider link) and Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com provide brief commentaries on each of the players in the draft pool, from Anthony Davis to Erik Austin (who?).
- Speaking of the draft, this year's lottery has been officially scheduled for May 30th at 7:00pm CT at Times Square Studios in New York, as Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. You can find the tentative draft order and lottery odds here.
- Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun examines a number of free agents the Raptors might keep an eye on this summer.
- The Trail Blazers could look into signing one or both of former draft picks Joel Freeland and Victor Claver this offseason, acting GM Chad Buchanan told Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune.
Odds & Ends: Pistons, Kobe, Nelson, Nene, Nets
Some Wednesday afternoon items from around the NBA:
- Vincent Goodwill of the Detroit News identifies John Henson as a potential fit for the Pistons in the draft and explores the team's upcoming amnesty-related decision.
- Prior to last season's blood-platelet therapy, Kobe Bryant was seriously questioning his basketball future, says Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
- In addition to conducting a Cavaliers-centric chat this afternoon, Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio examined a few potential NBA coaching openings.
- Chad Ford of ESPN.com also answered questions in a chat that featured a number of interesting draft tidbits.
- The Magic and their fans shouldn't let the Dwight Howard saga overshadow Jameer Nelson's future in Orlando, argues Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.
- Michael Lee of the Washington Post writes about the positive influence Nene had on the Wizards' young players following the deal that sent him to Washington in March. When I previewed the Wizards' offseason yesterday, I noted that finding another strong veteran presence like Nene could have a strong impact on the team's young nucleus.
- Fred Kerber of the New York Post wonders which of the Nets' free agents will be re-signed this summer.
Prince Wants Pistons To Sign Veteran Point Guard
Pistons veteran forward Tayshaun Prince recently stated his desires for the franchise to acquire a veteran point guard as the team heads into the offseason, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. The former Kentucky star said he wants rookie and fellow former Wildcat Brandon Knight to have a seasoned player at his position who can mentor him as he heads into his second season. Knight, 20, enjoyed a strong debut as he averaged 12.8 PPG, 3.8 APG and 3.2 RPG in 60 starts for the Pistons.
"There can be times that me and Ben Wallace can mentor and help him out and whatnot, but I think if you have a point guard that's been through the wars, he can help him out a little bit better than we can."
Ellis suggests that the Pistons may elect to use their mid-level exception to sign an experienced point guard as a relatively deep crop of free agents at the position are set to become available this summer. Raymond Felton and Chauncey Billups should be considered among the most viable options for the Pistons as Steve Nash, still a prized signing at 38, would be unlikely to go from one rebuilding effort to another as his career winds down. Beyond Knight, the Pistons employed journeyman Will Bynum and 29-year-old rookie Walker Russell as backup point guards for the 2011/2012 season.
Joe Dumars Discusses Pistons’ Offseason
Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars conducted his exit interview with the media today, and made a number of interesting comments — for one, Dumars said it was reasonable for Detroit to expect a playoff berth next season. Keith Langlois of Pistons.com shared that statement and a number of others on his Twitter feed, so let's run through the highlights….
- Dumars vowed to make offseason moves to improve the roster, whether those moves happen via draft, free agency, or trades.
- The team won't necessarily use its amnesty clause this summer, though that option will be discussed.
- Dumars on the amnesty clause: "You have to have a plan. You don't do it just to do it. If there's someone to acquire or to have flexibility, maybe."
- The Pistons will prioritize areas of need in the draft, but there's a chance they just end up selecting the best player available.
- Detroit is in touch with 2011 second-round pick Kyle Singler, who played overseas this season, and Dumars intends to visit him soon.
- Jason Maxiell has a player option and the Pistons would love to have him back, but the decision is "totally in his hands."
- There are no financial restrictions on the team heading into the summer, and Dumars has been told to "think outside the box" when it comes to upgrading the roster.
Central Notes: Bird, Hibbert, Pistons, Skiles
In what's becoming a monthly ritual, Pacers president Larry Bird has denied a report suggesting he'll be leaving the team at season's end. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported that Bird has told Pacers owner Herb Simon and several friends that he has decided to leave, but the Hall-of-Famer told Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star that he hasn't made up his mind yet.
"Once again, no decision has been made," Bird told Wells. "I'll sit down with my owner at the end of the season and we'll talk about things."
Here are the rest of the morning's updates out of the Central Division:
- Roy Hibbert's playoff performance could have a significant impact on what sort of contract he signs this offseason, Wells writes in a separate piece for the Star. As Wells notes, Dwight Howard's absence will give Hibbert and the Pacers a good opportunity to dominate the Magic in the first round.
- Charlie Villanueva is aware that he'll head into the offseason as a candidate to be traded or amnestied by the Pistons, as he suggests to David Mayo of MLive.com: "I would like to stay here. I love it here, I love it here. At the same time, I'm a realist."
- Pistons coach Lawrence Frank addressed the team's future in a Q&A with Terry Foster of the Detroit News.
- Keith Glass, agent for Bucks coach Scott Skiles, dismissed rumors that Skiles will seek a buyout on the final year of his contract, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. "That’s news to me," Glass said. "I haven’t talked to anyone about that. I’d be surprised if that was true."
Odds & Ends: Asik, Team USA, Pistons
The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday night:
- The Akron Beacon Journal's Jason Lloyd expects (link via Twitter) the Cavaliers to have interest in Bulls center Omer Asik this summer. Asik will be a restricted free agent.
- USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told Marc Stein of ESPN.com that no new players will be added to the London Olympics team roster to replace injured players such as Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
- David Mayo of MLive.com has quotes from Pistons owner Tom Gores, who says more moves are necessary to bring Detroit back to respectability.