The Official "What Now" Thread....

[BIG BEN'S FRO]

Joe D says he has a contingency. Frankly, I think this is going to sting a bit, since trading Darko couldn't have been a worse move at this point. But as I said, this is a "What now?" Thread.

We need to stay competitive, so here are some of my suggestions:

Option 1:
Trade Dice and Dale Davis to Atlanta for a S&T with Al Harrington. Use the MLE (or part of it) on any decent big, Nazr, Przybilla, or Evans. Start Wallace, a 25 year old Harrington, Prince, Hamilton, and Billups. The other nice thing about this is that it would open up PT for Delfino for sure and probably Johnson/Maxiell. We would be small, but far more athletic and balanced.

Option 2
Offer Zo the MLE with a buyout injury clause after 3 years, use the MLE on a PG like Marcus Banks. With Billups and Dice likely to opt out, this would give us still enough space to land a top free agent if they leave. Banks, our two first rounders, Rip, Delfino, Prince, and Zo would be at least a decent nucleus, and we would use our picks to beef up the frontcourt if we resigned Billups. I think we would actually be a better team this season with Zo than Ben, since he is more of a post defender, and we would have a bit better balance. I hate this option though because I hate Zo.

Option 3
Resign Cato to a deal at about 4-5 mill for one season. Look for a free agent steal at the deadline with Cato + Dale Davis ( about 8 mill). If not, be a huge offseason player next season with a $30 mill payroll and two first rounders. This would likely improve our pick next season, but make the Orlando pick worse as well. Still the possibility of two lotto picks in that draft and good cap room has to look nice. Look at what Chicago did to us this year.

[Black Dynamite]

aka fun with unlikely trades thread. i'm sure kilo will be all over this. have fun guys.

[BIG BEN'S FRO]

In fact only one of my suggestions even has a trade. And I don't think Atlanta signing Harrington is a slam dunk. Why would they sign Claxton first anyway?

[the wrath of diddy]

What now? Boycott all things Piston's related. Hit that penny pinching fuck where it hurts. I hope the Palace is empty next season. Eat shit and die you old fuck.

[Kilo]

Nah. By tomorrow morning, the beatwriter bought and paid for articles and a Joe Dumars WDFN interview later and the fans will be drinking the Pistons kool-aid again, and Ben Wallace Haterade.

[goldens4snss]

Nah. By tomorrow morning, the beatwriter bought and paid for articles and a Joe Dumars WDFN interview later and the fans will be drinking the Pistons kool-aid again, and Ben Wallace Haterade.

Rob Parker is probably getting the lube ready right now

[b-diddy]

as far as im concerned, joe's already answered 'what now?':

Lindsey's back ...
The Pistons got their first commitment of the free agency period from Lindsey Hunter, who will sign a two-year deal worth about $4.5 million. He can't sign the deal until July 12.

Oh, it gets better for Hunter.

When his contract is up, Hunter will also be given a position within the organization, primarily assisting president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars.

"That's what makes this all really special, an opportunity to work with Joe when my playing days are over," Hunter said. "I'm looking forward to playing, but I'm also looking forward to what lies ahead for me when I'm done playing, too."

Hunter said the Phoenix Suns showed a lot of interest, but his desire was to return to Detroit.

"This is where I wanted to be," Hunter said. "I wasn't real thrilled with the idea of moving my family, so this worked out great."

In all likelihood, Hunter will be Chauncey Billups' backup at the point, with the third point guard possibly being rookie Will Blalock or second-yeard guard Alex Acker, who is a shooting guard who got most of his practice last season primarily at the point guard position.

good job, joe. going 1 for 2 is good in any profession!

[Kstat]

So Joe really believes in Will Blaylock I guess.

I take it Hunter's getting the LLE again? If so, it's not a bad deal.

[shags]

as far as im concerned, joe's already answered 'what now?':

Lindsey's back ...
The Pistons got their first commitment of the free agency period from Lindsey Hunter, who will sign a two-year deal worth about $4.5 million. He can't sign the deal until July 12.

Oh, it gets better for Hunter.

When his contract is up, Hunter will also be given a position within the organization, primarily assisting president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars.

"That's what makes this all really special, an opportunity to work with Joe when my playing days are over," Hunter said. "I'm looking forward to playing, but I'm also looking forward to what lies ahead for me when I'm done playing, too."

Hunter said the Phoenix Suns showed a lot of interest, but his desire was to return to Detroit.

"This is where I wanted to be," Hunter said. "I wasn't real thrilled with the idea of moving my family, so this worked out great."

In all likelihood, Hunter will be Chauncey Billups' backup at the point, with the third point guard possibly being rookie Will Blalock or second-yeard guard Alex Acker, who is a shooting guard who got most of his practice last season primarily at the point guard position.

good job, joe. going 1 for 2 is good in any profession!

So we've got Billups, Rip, Prince, Dice, Sheed, Hunter, Davis, Delfino, Johnson, and Maxiell under contract now.

That's slightly less the $50 million in contracts. Since we had Hunter's Bird rights, we still have the full MLE, the LLE, and a $2.4 million trade exception. Those three added up won't get us to the luxury tax, so spending shouldn't be an issue.

[Joe Asberry]

4.5 mil? wtf? i dont get it...he should have better used this 4.5 mil for Ben...