2012-13 Detroit Pistons
Draft Grades, Needs, Free Agents, Season Preview
Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, David Kay and Peter Christian of the The Sports Bank. Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
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Detroit Pistons
2011-12: 25-41, 10th in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 10th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Greg Monroe/Andre Drummond/Viacheslav Kravtsov
PF: Jason Maxiell/Jonas Jerebko/Charlie Villanueva
SF: Tayshaun Prince/Corey Maggette/Austin Daye/Kyle Singler/Khris Middleton
SG: Rodney Stuckey/Kim English
PG: Brandon Knight/Will Bynum
Head Coach: Lawrence Frank (2nd season)
Detroit's offseason was:
... fairly uneventful ... and that's okay. The Pistons unloaded the remaining two years and $25.6 million of Ben Gordon for Corey Maggette's expiring deal. It also cost them a future first-round pick, but the trade was a means to an end and creates future cap flexibility; unless they turn Maggette into another veteran who can be pried away from a team looking to dump a large salary.
Andre Drummond was a best available player pick with the ninth-overall selection though he is a project in terms of his development as a complete, well-rounded player. Other than that, Detroit was relatively quiet this summer which puts its talent level in a similar position as it was a year ago.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... the Pistons can sneak into the playoffs. Somebody will have to step up alongside Monroe inside for that to happen though. Drummond would be the ideal candidate, but he is probably at least a year or two away from becoming a steady contributor. Maxiell isn't the answer inside, and Villanueva will have to play himself out of the doghouse.
The backcourt depth is a concern, but Brandon Knight's showed plenty of promise during his rookie campaign and allowed Rodney Stuckey to slide over to his more natural two guard position. Rebounding and scoring were areas of concern a year ago and that doesn't figure to improve too much this year, which makes a trip to the postseason appear unlikely.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... Dumars gets itchy and makes a dumb move before the trade deadline. With several expiring contracts, the Pistons could grow impatient with their retooling effort and try to swing a deal for an experienced player. The franchise has done a solid job of adding young talent and letting expiring deals run out. While it might be tempting to make a postseason push, Detroit needs to remain the course.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
Maggette, Maxiell, and Will Bynum come off the books as does Hamilton, meaning the Pistons will clear out around $24 million in cap space. Throw in Austin Daye, who in no way deserves having his qualifying offer extended, and that jumps to $27 million. I am not sure any marquee free agent will want to come to Detroit next summer, but the Pistons have the option to pursue some needed upgraded talent as long as it doesn't go to waste like it did during the Gordon/Villanueva offseason.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
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Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
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© 1999-2011 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
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All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: wpc112@gmail.com
Detroit Pistons
2011-12: 25-41, 10th in Eastern Conference
2012-13 Predicted Conference Finish: 10th
2012-13 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Greg Monroe/Andre Drummond/Viacheslav Kravtsov
PF: Jason Maxiell/Jonas Jerebko/Charlie Villanueva
SF: Tayshaun Prince/Corey Maggette/Austin Daye/Kyle Singler/Khris Middleton
SG: Rodney Stuckey/Kim English
PG: Brandon Knight/Will Bynum
Head Coach: Lawrence Frank (2nd season)
Detroit's offseason was:
... fairly uneventful ... and that's okay. The Pistons unloaded the remaining two years and $25.6 million of Ben Gordon for Corey Maggette's expiring deal. It also cost them a future first-round pick, but the trade was a means to an end and creates future cap flexibility; unless they turn Maggette into another veteran who can be pried away from a team looking to dump a large salary.
Andre Drummond was a best available player pick with the ninth-overall selection though he is a project in terms of his development as a complete, well-rounded player. Other than that, Detroit was relatively quiet this summer which puts its talent level in a similar position as it was a year ago.
2012-2013 will be a success if:
... the Pistons can sneak into the playoffs. Somebody will have to step up alongside Monroe inside for that to happen though. Drummond would be the ideal candidate, but he is probably at least a year or two away from becoming a steady contributor. Maxiell isn't the answer inside, and Villanueva will have to play himself out of the doghouse.
The backcourt depth is a concern, but Brandon Knight's showed plenty of promise during his rookie campaign and allowed Rodney Stuckey to slide over to his more natural two guard position. Rebounding and scoring were areas of concern a year ago and that doesn't figure to improve too much this year, which makes a trip to the postseason appear unlikely.
2012-2013 will be a disappointment if:
... Dumars gets itchy and makes a dumb move before the trade deadline. With several expiring contracts, the Pistons could grow impatient with their retooling effort and try to swing a deal for an experienced player. The franchise has done a solid job of adding young talent and letting expiring deals run out. While it might be tempting to make a postseason push, Detroit needs to remain the course.
Looking Ahead to Next Summer:
Maggette, Maxiell, and Will Bynum come off the books as does Hamilton, meaning the Pistons will clear out around $24 million in cap space. Throw in Austin Daye, who in no way deserves having his qualifying offer extended, and that jumps to $27 million. I am not sure any marquee free agent will want to come to Detroit next summer, but the Pistons have the option to pursue some needed upgraded talent as long as it doesn't go to waste like it did during the Gordon/Villanueva offseason.
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That guy
05-23-2012
05:45 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx4.71
(total posts: 2)
 47
 30
What if they trade Charlie V to Minnesota for Darko?
CJ
05-19-2012
09:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.44
(total posts: 2)
21
16
Because there's a high probability of Fab Melo or Festus Ezeli being busts.
Ezeli has no shot, struggles to score on the whole, and is both injury and foul prone. Why would you gamble at #9 on that? Melo badly needed another year of school, but due to his poor decision making skills was forced to go pro. He's not ready to play at the NBA level yet, and will be a project for the next couple years. Not to mention both are late 1st round prospects, so Detroit could conceivably trade up from their 2nd round pick and possibly their future 2nd rounder from Houston to get one of them. Or possibly one slips to them in the 2nd round. If the Pistons really want to gamble, I'd rather they do so on someone with real upside like Perry Jones. I'm guessing they'll draft either Sullinger or Moultrie though, which is fine. They'll complement Monroe nicely. Obviously if Barnes were to fall like Knight did last year, they'd have to draft him. Then Draymond Green would be a nice 2nd round pick if he's there. As he's a local guy and could replace Jason Maxiell.
Walter
05-18-2012
02:21 am
xxx.xxx.xxx4.88
(total posts: 2)
67
9
Mellowone, can you repeat that. I don't know what the Pistons need.
mellowone
04-27-2012
01:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.225
(total posts: 3)
13
41
pistons need bigs,shot blockers rim protectors then why not fab melo or festus,they need atrue center space eater
mellowone
04-27-2012
01:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.225
(total posts: 3)
14
24
pistons need bigs,shot blockers rim protectors then why not fab melo or festus,they need atrue center space eater
mellowone
04-27-2012
01:42 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.225
(total posts: 3)
15
30
pistons need bigs,shot blockers rim protectors then why not fab melo or festus,they need atrue center space eater
CJ
06-25-2011
03:54 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx6.44
(total posts: 2)
32
29
Obviously Lenny is on drugs... Biyambo is the next Saer Sene, he's almost a guaranteed bust, so glad the Pistons didn't get him. Thank you MJ! Knight is too smart to fail in the NBA, he'll be great with Monroe. The team still needs to find a superstar though. Hopefully they can clear out the crap this season (Gordon, Charlie V, Stuckey) and Hamilton can either move on, or accept his spot as a veteran role player. I doubt Detroit wins a lot of games next year, but that is a good thing, as it puts them in a good spot to land Davis, Barnes or one of the Baylor boys.
Ian
06-24-2011
04:37 am
xxx.xxx.xxx1.76
(total posts: 1)
42
29
My entire apartment was flooded with Pistons fans chanting "Brandon Knight!" once he was available at 8. I love the pick. He is the next Rondo. The core guys were all at the palace with Joe D. hyped up for Knight. As long as Dumars starts..
Knight/Stuckey/Daye/Jerebko/Monroe with Wallace/Gordon/Bynum/Villanueva as his main guys off the bench, I will be happy. **** Rip. Get his ass off of this team. I won't miss Tayshaun "I'm not happy so my defensive ability will disappear" Prince either. At one point of time, I loved Prince and Rip, but they have no place in Detroit any longer. They've handled the rebuilding process like spoiled children, and that is not what Detroit is about. As far as a coach goes, it has to be either Woodson or Laimbeer. We can't employ another career assistant. We won't win a division with this team, but we're on the right path. Monroe/Knight/Jerebko will all be with the team for a long time.
Dan
06-23-2011
09:44 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx.197
(total posts: 1)
37
37
I like the pick. Knight is likely to have a more positive impact on the court then Biyombo or Thompson....the players the Pistons expected to be available at 8. It's all good.
Lenny
06-23-2011
08:43 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx0.83
(total posts: 1)
31
36
Goddamnit, this draft couldn't have fallen any worse for the Pistons.
Walter
06-21-2011
05:03 pm
xxx.xxx.xxx4.88
(total posts: 2)
39
32
First comment... we're going to have comment boards like this all over the site soon. We're still working out the kinks, so this is not the finished product.
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2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 24
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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Privacy Policy
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