Dumars still open to trades

by A. Sherrod Blakely
Friday December 07, 2007, 12:24 AM

AUBURN HILLS -- Coming into tonight's game against the Chicago Bulls with a five-game winning streak, the Detroit Pistons have given president of basketball operations Joe Dumars little to complain about.

Even with the Pistons playing their best basketball of the season, Dumars isn't blinded by the team's success.

That's why he plans to stay open to the idea of making a trade or two before February's trading deadline.

"Absolutely," Dumars said earlier this week. "Absolutely, if you're me absolutely. There's never a time you should stop evaluating how can we get better. That you shut the door that you would do something to make your team better ... never!"

Not even a five or six-game winning streak?

"Never!" Dumars reiterated. "You can't allow a four- or five- or six-game win streak stop you from looking at your team and say, 'we can get better if we make this move here.' I'll never close that door."

While the goal with trades is usually to add talent that can help immediately, Dumars also factors in how a trade will impact the franchise down the road.

That was among the many reasons he was reluctant to put together a trade package to acquire Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who had asked to be traded before the season starting. Several teams including Detroit spoke with the Lakers before the season began to see what their asking price was for Bryant.

Multiple league sources told Booth Newspapers last month that during those conversations, the Lakers were asking for Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton, a choice between Jason Maxiell or Rodney Stuckey, and a pair of first-round picks. And the Lakers were apparently wanting the draft picks to be sent after Bryant's contract expired, which in all likelihood would have made them lottery (top-14) picks.

The Pistons didn't pursue the matter anymore, but that hasn't stopped Dumars from keeping all options open.

"You never know who becomes available, and when," Dumars said. "We had wanted Rasheed Wallace for a long time before we got him (in 2004), but the timing wasn't right. When it was, we did what we had to do to make it happen."

That mindset isn't any different now, even as Detroit (13-5) finds itself two games off the pace set by the 2005-2006 club which won a franchise-record 64 regular season games.

"You have to take good rolls when they come," Dumars said. "Right now, our guys are playing well, playing unselfish. The distribution of minutes has allowed us to keep that in perspective as well. All of it has come together a little bit for us right now. I know it's early it's a long season. But you don't ever turn your back on a good stretch of basketball."

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20071208_Sixers_-_Win_over_Knicks_something_to_build_on.html


Before Billy King's tenure suddenly ended Monday, he had been in touch with, among other teams, Miami and Detroit, about possible deals. "I'm going to pursue things with all 29 teams," Ed Stefanski said. "I've also gotten a lot of congratulatory calls, and then the next step is, they ask about [possibilities]. But that goes on all the time." That works for Comcast-Spectacor chief operating officer Peter Luukko, who said, "We're letting Eddie go for it. We're giving him free rein"

Maybe we would be looking at andre as our backup 1 for a serious run at the ship this year. or maybe we could roll with something like andre, billups, tay, dice,sheed with rip off the bench? I think getting Samuel Dalembert would cost alot so joe wouldn't be pursuing him.

I think Nazr to the cats is a real possibility though.

Andre Iguodala? No way were we getting him from the 6ers. He's there best player by far and it would take one of our starters to get him.

Nevermind, forgot they had Andre Miller. I'm assuming you meant him.

:mccosky:


On another topic, you might be wondering what's going to happen to Flip Murray now that Stuckey is back. Well, first off, be patient. The Pistons are going to want to give Stuckey some time to get back into the flow of things and to see if the hand holds up under contact before they do anything. But the writing is clearly on the wall for Murray. I expect the Pistons to try to move him. In the best case scenario, they would get a draft pick or two for him. They don't want to take back another player (which means taking back another salary).

There are a lot of offensively-challenged teams out there. I have to believe there is a market for Murray. Until recently, Murray had played his role well. He provided some offensive fire when the Pistons got stagnant. Through all his ups and downs here, he has remained very professional. He got himself into good shape this year. He's been the first guy in the gym before every game, going through his regimen. He's been upbeat and even gregarious at times this season. He can help a team, just not this team -- something he had to know deep down last June when the Pistons drafted guards Afflalo and Stuckey in the first round. "He's been unbelievable," Saunders said.

Shocking...

That whole, he can help a team just not this team, thing is pretty much right on. On a team that's just trying to get by where he can kind of take over every now and then he'd be great. But on a team going for a championship, he can't really be that take-over guy so he doesn't fit very well.

:mccosky:


Again, to reiterate, the only way the Pistons consider bringing Webber back is if they clear a roster spot. I assume that means unloading Flip Murray and-or Primoz Brezec. Joe Dumars has been trying for weeks to find a taker for Murray. So far, nothing.

i believe webber is pretty likely to join up with LA. specially with AB going down.

Ron Artest wouldn't mind a trade to Detroit...but I'm sure as hell the fans would

I wouldn't mind having him. He works hard and he seems to do well when he's in a strong environment that can keep him in check.

IF not for Artest's personality antics, I'd love him on our team.

Its a big if.

Ok, I love Tayshuan, but what is up with him this year? He looks like an over rated defender and has been getting driven past by so many different players (Pierce, Nocioni).

I know people say that Artest cannot be handled well here, but how many people said the same thing about Sheed? Before Sheed came here, most Pistons fans hated him, same with Chris Chelios on the Blackhawks. It's time for people to get over the fact that the crap happened with Artest. I'm not sticking up for him but he did grow up in a messed up situation. His dad drank and beat him and his mom and then they got a divorce.

Artest is 28 years old and makes 1 million less than Tayshaun per year. Tay is from CA and you know the Kings would love to have Tayshaun, and what the hell throw in a few 2nd rounders, we have 3 this year.

Also, it's painfully obvious to everyone except flip that Dyess needs to come off the bench. Start Maxiel (I know the rebounding thing but when are people going to start blaming tay and rip for not rebounding as well?)

Tay is 6' 9" and doesn't get 5 rebounds per game, what a freaking joke.

Max, Sheed, Artest, Rip and Chauncey with Dyess, Stuckey, Hayes and maybe AA off the bench (we all know flip doesn't play him).

I love this team, but I still think there needs to be a shake up in the big 4 because it still looks like they are complacent.

in my book, artest is forgiven for what he did.

but i feel the same way about him as zach randolph.

hes a supreme talent but i would only trade for him if things started looking really bleak. we're not even close to getting to that point.

randolph and artest are both great talents. but neither of them understand moving without the ball or moving the ball. on offense, all theyre good for is pretty much 1 on 1 basketball, and on defense, randolph is a turnstile.

but they both can definitly light up their dude.

a few 2nd rounders, we have 3 this year
Actually, LLTP wrote a while back that the Minny pick can be postponed another year, which really sucks if its true. I thought they said that last year, that it could only be bumped to this year. And what's the other one we have other than our own?

The delfino one?

I couldn't remember if that one was this year or next year.

I'm pretty sure it's the Delfino one, but I can't remember if we get it this year or next year.

unless used in a trade, why would we even want 3 second round picks this year?

Why would anyone else want them either?

The Minny pick is the only one with value, IMO

kstat has thought every second round draft pick joe has ever used was a future all star.

Yeah, they really don't add much value to a trade, the late second rounders. I guess if you threw 2 or 3 of them in there they'd be worth the equivalent of a early to mid 2nd rounder though. The Minny pick is probably the only one with value.

some people think early second rounders are worth more than late second rouders.

Ummm, isn't that what we were just saying? The Minny pick is worth more than all those late second rounders that we always have.

some people think early second rounders are worth more than late second rouders.

I think that you meant to say that some people think early second rounders are worth more than late FIRST rounders since they are not guaranteed contracts.

YES?? NO??? MAYBE????

yes. woops.

Time to make a move. I agreed w/ everything Mike Valenti said today.

We need one of the following.

1) Interior Rebounding

2) Points in the Paint



GERALD WALLACE!

And what do you plan to give up to get Gerald Wallace?

And my bad diddy. Now I understand, I was really confused why you said that before.

I want to win now.

Stuckey for Kidd.

Let's do it.

Stuckey's worth more than that. Be real here.

Stuckey's worth more than that. Be real here.

Really?

I was thinking Kidd, VC, and some draft picks. Of course, we'd have to toss in our expirings to make it work, but I suppose that's a loss I'd be willing to take *sigh*

I don't want Carter.

He's only slightly less of a litle bitch than She Mac.

I don't either, I suppose I should have green text-ed all of that.

Keith Langlois is offended you would even joke that Stuckey is only worth Kidd and Vince Carter.

I shall now pray to the god Langwah and make a sacrafice. But what would he want sacraficed?

I shall now pray to the god Langwah and make a sacrafice. But what would he want sacraficed?
Your skepticism.

Fair enough.


I, Zekyl of THE WTFDetroit, succumb to all talk of Stuckey being the chosen one. I will no longer scoff at "Stuckey - Hall of Fame" comments, I shall vehemently agree to "Stuckey - All-Star" decrees, and I shall denounce Cleveland at every opportunity.
That last part's for Karl

Rodney Stuckey misses jumpers badly on purpose, just because he doesn't want to show up the other team.

Rodney Stuckey gets blocked driving to the rim so that he can win most improved player AND MVP next season.

Chuck Norris is the next Rodney Stuckey

Can we trade Primoz Brezec and Flip murray for draft pick? I'd rather let Cheick Samb be our 5th Big. I'm noticing that overall shot blocking is a big part of what helps us defensively. Amir's effect in that department has been big.

V, we could only do that if the team we traded them to was under the cap. Otherwise we'd need to take some salary back.

Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars has said repeatedly that while he's happy with his roster, he won't stop looking for ways to make it better.

He said last week he wouldn't mind improving the frontcourt depth and has some tradeable assets — Flip Murray, Primoz Brezec and Walter Herrmann, all in the final year of their contracts.

But a trade involving one of the core players is very unlikely.


free press

[smilie=reporter.gi:

If we could package any of those players with a 2nd rounder to grab another first rounder I would do it. You'd have to find a team in need of serious bench help, but there are teams like that.

Flip seems like the mostly likely to be involved in a deal like that. He's probably got the most value of the three, and teams are always looking for a guy who can drive the lane.

Brezec has value too. Teams are always short on big men. Expiring big men can draw a 2nd rounder no problem. If a team feels they could be productive there you might get more.

Yeah, we could get a second for him, but I dont think him + our second would give us a first.

Some center injuries:

LAL - Bynum (2 months), Mihm (3-4 weeks)
LAC - Brand (most of season), Kamen (DTD), Williams (DTD)
SAC - SAR (season)
CLE - Sideshow Bob (4 weeks), Big Z is always risk
MIA - Zo (season), Shaq not %100
NJN - Kristic (3-4 weeks), Collins (DTD)

I'm not saying any of these teams would make a move, or with us for that matter. Just listing some teams that may need a center to buy them some time.

Reef isn't really a center...but thats okay...

also don't forget Grandpa Oden

and Theo Ratliff, if he still counts....dude hasn't played in forever

Reef isn't really a center...but thats okay...

Yeah, but they really only have Miller and Mikki Moore up front. Artest has to play PF right now.

And I didn't list Portland because they have Aldridge, Pryz, Frye, Reaf and McRoberts (has been used for 2 minutes) still. I doubt they feel they need to make a move when they've been winning without their center now.

and Theo Ratliff, if he still counts....dude hasn't played in forever

They have Mad Dog and Doleac there. Come on, you can't get better production than that. They wouldn't make a move (why bother?) and they especially won't give up a draft pick with that record.

also forgot about Tony Battie above, and Sean May even though he's technically a 4

:mccosky:


Back from break
The Pistons all made it back from All-Star break in good shape and good spirits -- with the exception of Flip Murray. Murray contacted Joe Dumars and told him he was held up, but would be back Tuesday morning. He will be fined. Assistant coach Dave Cowens was late getting back, too. His flight out of Florida was canceled.

Speaking of Murray, chances are pretty good that he won't be with the team past Thursday (the trade deadline). Although, when I asked Dumars tonight if he would waive Murray if he couldn't trade him, his response was, 'Not necessarily.' So, who knows? Dumars is and has tried to find a home for Murray. All he is asking back is a draft pick -- second round, first round, whatever. Dumars spent the weekend working the phones. He was not in New Orleans. He isn't necessarily looking to make a deal, but he is doing his due diligence. Pretty safe bet that he won't do anything to change the core of the team. If he can move Murray or Primoz Brezec, he probably would.

As for Lindsey Hunter, yes, he was back and he practiced. Don't look from him to be reinserted into the rotation until mid to late March. He's definitely going to be in the mix for the playoffs, which could mean that Arron Afflalo will lose some playing time.

Chauncey Billups, as I suspected from watching the game on television, did tweak an ankle during the All-Star game. He said he was wearing some new shoes and he didn't wear the ankle supports that he normally does. He said he was fine Monday and took part in the entire practice -- no discomfort at all.

Dale(Grand Rapids,MI): Chad, any Pistons tidbits?

Chad Ford: (1:15 PM ET ) Maybe a small move. They have some interest in the Nets Jamaal Magloire.

I would guess that it's probably Flip Murray and Brezec or Herrmann for Magliore.

Hopefully it's Brezec. If Joe could pull of Flip and Primo (2 guys who are useless to us) and change (2nd rounders that are useless for us) for Magloire, he would be my god.

mags is junk. I can't believe he's under 30.

Definitely lead footed.

I would welcome a Brezec for gusman trade.

What happened to Magloire anyway? He used to be a solid 13 and 10 guy (in 30 minutes or so). Now he is junk. I have no interest in him unless we trade Brezec and some combination of Herrmann/Hayes/Flip for a better swingman. Then I would add Magloire as a Brezec replacement.

Deadline came and went, no mention of any Pistons trades.

With them firmly up against the luxury tax threshhold, it would have been shocking if they had taken on any salary.

Well Brezec got traded for Dixon (???), so um, yeah.

Has the deadline past?

Yeah, 5 and a half hours ago or so.