Who Should The Pistons Get Rid Of and Who Should They Get?

Word is Joe D told Flip his job is safe.  I thought maybe Joe would replace him with Michael Curry, but he’s going to let him play out the last year of his contract.  The Pistons have got to do something – so who should they get rid of and who should they go after?

One thing I think is for sure – the backcourt was not the problem this year.  I’d still take Chauncey and Rip over anyone else in the league.  The problem there is finding room for Stuckey, but he could easily fit into a three guard rotation, with Prince sitting and Rip sliding over to the three.  There’s a lot of versatility with that option, and it solves the problem of having a good backup for Prince.  Chauncey is still the leader of this team, and Rip is their best offensive player and is in such good shape that he’s four or five years younger than his actual age.

That leaves us with the frontcourt.  Prince is an outstanding defensive player and a great role player that every team wishes they had.  He’s safe.  There’s no way you get rid of Tay.  But Wallace has to go, and Dice stays but he moves to the bench and signs a smaller contract. 

Yeah, Rasheed’s personality is destroying the team and blah blah blah, but the bottom line is his skills are eroding.  He’s almost 34, and he can’t play down low anymore.  His 13mill+ salary comes off the books next year, so he’d be excellent trade bait.  The Pistons need to replace him with a proven low post scorer, something they lacked this year and made them rely too much on the jump shot, something Sheed contributed to by firing up threes.

The guy who ould be a perfect fit for the Pistons and could conceivabl come here in a trade?  Elton Brand.  Brand is still in the early stages of the prime of his career and is a force down low.  He’s coming off an achillies injury that he should be able to make a full recovery from this year, and his absense last year may have the Cips willing to live without him.  They could get a great veteran talent in Rasheed, who would be a good comliment to Chris Kamen, who is more of a classic post center.  With Rasheed playing outside, it could open things up for Kamen and the other young slashers they have over there.  This deal also makes sense in that the salaries are close enough to make it happen.  Pistons could throw in Juan Dixon or Hayes of something to make it work.  Sheed’s expiring contract could also make it more attractive for the Clips.

For the Pistons, they would get rid of Sheed and add what they need – someone is willing to go to work down low.