Glenn
04-27-2009, 09:38 PM
:mccosky:
State of the Pistons
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News
Chris McCosky takes a look at the Pistons roster by contract situation, a comment on the players' plusses and minuses and their futures with the franchise:
Arron Afflalo
Contract: Through 2010-11 ($1.086 million next season, team option for $1.9 million in 2010-11)
Comment: Solidified himself as a reliable role player. Team was 17-8 when he played at least 20 minutes during the regular season. One of the fiercest competitors, but he has to continue to develop his offense.
Future: Returning
Kwame Brown
Contract: Through 2009-10 (player option for $4.1 million for next season)
Comment: He came on toward the end of the season. When he's active and engaged, he provides the interior presence the Pistons have lacked. He is undecided about picking up his option, and how hard the Pistons push to keep him will depend on what other big men they attract.
Future: Likely returning
Will Bynum
Contract: Through 2009-10 (team option for $825,497 next season)
Comment: One of the few highlights in a dismal season. Most likely, the Pistons will try to work out an extension to reward him and keep him beyond next season. But make no mistake, Bynum is a backup, change-of-pace point guard, not a starter.
Future: Returning
Richard Hamilton
Contract: Through 2012-13 ($11.3 million next year)
Comment: Emotionally and physically, this was the worst season of his career, and it came after he signed a $35 million extension. It's clear he needs a stable offense run by a stable point guard to be effective. The Pistons had neither. He's not untouchable, but his contract and his erratic play will make him hard to trade.
Future: Likely returning
Walter Herrmann
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: The Pistons gave him several opportunities to stay in the rotation, but he never produced with any consistency. He plays hard, but he doesn't defend or rebound well enough to stay on the floor if his shot isn't falling.
Future: Gone
Allen Iverson
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: An abject disaster. His skills at 33 were greatly diminished, though he still thought of himself as a 30-point-a-night scorer. He never found a rhythm in Michael Curry's system and never established any chemistry. His gift always was his $21.9 million expiring contract.
Future: Gone
Amir Johnson
Contract: Through 2009-10 ($3.66 million next season)
Comment: He was handed the starting power forward position at the start of the season, and he couldn't hang on to it. He continues to make the same mistakes -- silly fouls, mental lapses -- and he still isn't strong enough to hold his position most nights on the block. Time to face facts, this is an end of the bench role player, one who might be used in a trade this summer.
Future: Likely gone
Jason Maxiell
Contract: Through 2012-13 ($4 million next season)
Comment: A season of stunted growth. He seemed to be in Michael Curry's doghouse much of the season. He still struggles on the defensive boards, and his offensive game took a step backward. Having signed a four-year extension at the start of the season, he might be tough to move, though many teams covet his energy and physicality.
Future: Likely returning
Antonio McDyess
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: He could be playing for the Cavaliers or Celtics right now, but he stayed loyal to the Pistons. At times he seemed like the only player who cared. Now, even though the Pistons want to re-sign him (they do not own his Bird rights), it's time McDyess was loyal to himself. He's going to be a hot ticket this summer, and he deserves one more shot at winning a title.
Future: Gone
Tayshaun Prince
Contract: Through 2010-11 ($21.8 million remaining)
Comment: For the Pistons to win in the East, they must contain small forwards like of Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Caron Butler, Danny Granger and Andre Iguodala. Prince has increasingly struggled to do that. For all his versatility and durability, Prince functions best as a fourth option. The Pistons going forward are going to need a stronger presence at that position, thus probably will seek trade options with Prince.
Future: Likely gone
Walter Sharpe
Contract: Through 2009-10 ($736,420)
Comment: This is one low-risk pick that isn't panning out. Sharpe, whether it was due to illness (he's narcoleptic) or immaturity, was late to or missed way too many busses, planes and practices. His game is below a D-League level right now, and it's hard to see any upside. Don't see why they use a roster spot on him next season.
Future: Gone
Rodney Stuckey
Contract: Through 2010-11 ($1.8 million next season, team option for $2.76 million)
Comment: Thrown into the breach in his first full season, Stuckey endured the predictable ups and downs. Problem is, as a point guard, his ups and downs had a direct impact on the team's lack of consistency. He needs to develop some consistency, with his perimeter shooting and his ability to finish at the basket.
Future: Returning
Rasheed Wallace
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: It was a wild six-year ride. There were unbelievable highs (2004) and head-slapping lows (playoff meltdowns 2006, 2007, 2008). But it's over. He's 34, and his legs are about gone and his production no longer warrants putting up with the inevitable distractions.
Future: Gone
State of the Pistons
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News
Chris McCosky takes a look at the Pistons roster by contract situation, a comment on the players' plusses and minuses and their futures with the franchise:
Arron Afflalo
Contract: Through 2010-11 ($1.086 million next season, team option for $1.9 million in 2010-11)
Comment: Solidified himself as a reliable role player. Team was 17-8 when he played at least 20 minutes during the regular season. One of the fiercest competitors, but he has to continue to develop his offense.
Future: Returning
Kwame Brown
Contract: Through 2009-10 (player option for $4.1 million for next season)
Comment: He came on toward the end of the season. When he's active and engaged, he provides the interior presence the Pistons have lacked. He is undecided about picking up his option, and how hard the Pistons push to keep him will depend on what other big men they attract.
Future: Likely returning
Will Bynum
Contract: Through 2009-10 (team option for $825,497 next season)
Comment: One of the few highlights in a dismal season. Most likely, the Pistons will try to work out an extension to reward him and keep him beyond next season. But make no mistake, Bynum is a backup, change-of-pace point guard, not a starter.
Future: Returning
Richard Hamilton
Contract: Through 2012-13 ($11.3 million next year)
Comment: Emotionally and physically, this was the worst season of his career, and it came after he signed a $35 million extension. It's clear he needs a stable offense run by a stable point guard to be effective. The Pistons had neither. He's not untouchable, but his contract and his erratic play will make him hard to trade.
Future: Likely returning
Walter Herrmann
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: The Pistons gave him several opportunities to stay in the rotation, but he never produced with any consistency. He plays hard, but he doesn't defend or rebound well enough to stay on the floor if his shot isn't falling.
Future: Gone
Allen Iverson
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: An abject disaster. His skills at 33 were greatly diminished, though he still thought of himself as a 30-point-a-night scorer. He never found a rhythm in Michael Curry's system and never established any chemistry. His gift always was his $21.9 million expiring contract.
Future: Gone
Amir Johnson
Contract: Through 2009-10 ($3.66 million next season)
Comment: He was handed the starting power forward position at the start of the season, and he couldn't hang on to it. He continues to make the same mistakes -- silly fouls, mental lapses -- and he still isn't strong enough to hold his position most nights on the block. Time to face facts, this is an end of the bench role player, one who might be used in a trade this summer.
Future: Likely gone
Jason Maxiell
Contract: Through 2012-13 ($4 million next season)
Comment: A season of stunted growth. He seemed to be in Michael Curry's doghouse much of the season. He still struggles on the defensive boards, and his offensive game took a step backward. Having signed a four-year extension at the start of the season, he might be tough to move, though many teams covet his energy and physicality.
Future: Likely returning
Antonio McDyess
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: He could be playing for the Cavaliers or Celtics right now, but he stayed loyal to the Pistons. At times he seemed like the only player who cared. Now, even though the Pistons want to re-sign him (they do not own his Bird rights), it's time McDyess was loyal to himself. He's going to be a hot ticket this summer, and he deserves one more shot at winning a title.
Future: Gone
Tayshaun Prince
Contract: Through 2010-11 ($21.8 million remaining)
Comment: For the Pistons to win in the East, they must contain small forwards like of Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Caron Butler, Danny Granger and Andre Iguodala. Prince has increasingly struggled to do that. For all his versatility and durability, Prince functions best as a fourth option. The Pistons going forward are going to need a stronger presence at that position, thus probably will seek trade options with Prince.
Future: Likely gone
Walter Sharpe
Contract: Through 2009-10 ($736,420)
Comment: This is one low-risk pick that isn't panning out. Sharpe, whether it was due to illness (he's narcoleptic) or immaturity, was late to or missed way too many busses, planes and practices. His game is below a D-League level right now, and it's hard to see any upside. Don't see why they use a roster spot on him next season.
Future: Gone
Rodney Stuckey
Contract: Through 2010-11 ($1.8 million next season, team option for $2.76 million)
Comment: Thrown into the breach in his first full season, Stuckey endured the predictable ups and downs. Problem is, as a point guard, his ups and downs had a direct impact on the team's lack of consistency. He needs to develop some consistency, with his perimeter shooting and his ability to finish at the basket.
Future: Returning
Rasheed Wallace
Contract: Expired (free agent July 1)
Comment: It was a wild six-year ride. There were unbelievable highs (2004) and head-slapping lows (playoff meltdowns 2006, 2007, 2008). But it's over. He's 34, and his legs are about gone and his production no longer warrants putting up with the inevitable distractions.
Future: Gone