Free Agency

Starting tonight at 12:01 am, NBA free agency starts...and with what some are saying is the most money to spend this off season, the Detroit Pistons, are looking to make moves. Last that I had heard was the the Pistons were looking to add big men, e.g. Power Forward, or possibly center. But with the NBA evolving, the 4 and 5 spots are basically interchangeable, and now, it seems that PF's are taller, but Centers tend to be more athletic and stronger.

The trend with PF's is going towards big men who can shoot the ball from 12 to 15 ft and make it consistently, but at the same time having athletic ability to make a dunk or grab a last second rebound to preserve the win for a team. This trend started with Rasheed Wallace, Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, etc.

With the Pistons not likely to make an offer to extend Rasheed Wallace's contract, the Pistons will be going after some talent this off season. Lets take a look at perspective big men that Joey D will likely go after:

Carlos Boozer - He can opt of from his contract from Utah, and if he will the Pistons will probably be the first team to call him. Joe seems very high on Boozer, a strong guy who can get a rebound and can also shoot. But the downside to Boozer is his durability or lack there of. Since joining the Jazz 5 seasons ago, Boozer has only played in 67% of the games that the Jazz have played in the regular season.

Hedo Turkoglu - Has already told Orlando management that he is going to test the waters for a new contract. Listed as a Small Forward, Hedo is 6'10". Making him a fit in Detroit's system. Rasheed Wallace, last year's PF for the Pistons, is 6'11". But Hedo can shoot the ball consistently from long range, but also has the power to finish at the basket. The downside of Hedo is his lack of rebounding, last year he averaged about 4.5 rebounds per game.

Paul Millsap - A young guy who at 24 years is turning out to be a durable player in the NBA is a restricted free agent and is unlikely that the Jazz will let him leave, especially if Boozer leaves. But if he does leave, looks to be a good fit as well, athletic, durable, and can score off the dribble.

There have been a lot of rumors about the Pistons looking at Charlie Villanueva, but I don't see him as a viable option for Detroit. Could be a last resort for them if they fail to sign the other's.

Draft picks Austin Daye, and DaJaun Summers could be rotational players in the NBA someday but right now are not game changers. Daye needs to bulk up, get into the gym and put on anywhere from 25 to 40 lbs of muscle on. Summers is a big kid, but being a later pick automatically means you have to prove yourself, so by that fact alone, he will take a while to progress.

Big men are not the only the position that the Pistons need to sure up going into the next year. They also need to put another backup behind Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey. There are options that they can go with, but all have bad sides to them.

The past year, Rodney Stuckey came into his own as the Pistons point guard. With career highs in minutes, points, rebounds, and assists, Stuckey seems to be the point guard of the future for Detroit.
Ageing shooting guard Richard "Rip" Hamilton saw his points per game go up this year after they dipped from last year, but being 31 years old, Detroit wants to find a solid player that can back both of these guys up and a possible starter in the future.

Ben Gordon - Seems to be the widely accepted option for the Pistons being 26 years old, still has time to develop his game over the next year while being a prolific scorer in the near future. The only question is how much he will command in the market. Kobe Bryant will most likely not opt out of his contract with Los Angeles, so that make Ben the number 1 shooting guard available. And with the Pistons wanting veteran help in the front court to bring along Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson, it will be interesting which is most important to the organization.

A couple of others that Detroit could be looking at as good solid backups for the duo they already have in place are Anthony Parker formally of Toronto, Jarrett Jack a restricted free agent from Indianapolis, or Rashad McCants from Sacramento.

Anthony Parker - He would be a good man for the Pistons to take some of the minutes from Stuckey and Hamilton, but at 34, he would not be a choice that the Pistons could turn to in the future.

Jarrett Jack - He is a restricted free agent from the Pacers, he had a break out year with the Pacers last year, and also could be a good backup at point to share some the minutes with Stuckey. Unfortunately though, Stuckey is seen as the future PG in Detroit, so there would be no room for Jack to grow.

Rashard McCants - A long shot for the Pistons to sign, but like Villanueva, he could be that option if Detroit cannot come to terms with any of the other players they covet in the free agent market.

Check back, for info when the Pistons make moves, and remember the madness starts at 12:01 am.