State of the Cap: Detroit Pistons

[headliner]

2006/07 Detroit Pistons Payroll: $47.5 million
2006/07 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $52 million
Roughly: $4.5 million under cap

The Good: At one point this season, Chauncey Billups was an MVP candidate. While that speculation cooled off, Chauncey's play has not. Billups is the unquestioned leader of the best team in basketball. He averages 18.5 points, 8.6 assists, and shoots 43% from downtown. Surprisingly, he will likely be the lowest paid starter next season. The Piston's point guard is owed just $6.3 million next season. He has a player option for $6.8 million after that season, but it is doubtful he will accept it. Chauncey is due for a raise to catch up with the rest of the starting five, and he deserves it.

Of the other starters, Rip Hamilton is earning his contract the most. Rip has four more years at an average of $10 million each. He is the team's leading scorer at 20 points per game and his 49% shooting is awesome for a guard. The skinny scorer is a nightmare for opposing defenses and there are few players in the league better at the mid-range jump shot.

Darko Milicic ended up being an important piece of Detroit's championship puzzle after all. How, you ask? By getting traded to the Magic for Kelvin Cato's $8.6 million expiring contract, thereby allowing the Pistons to resign Ben Wallace this summer. In the end, it worked out best for both player and team.

The Bad: Obviously, the Pistons have decided to spend their salary cap keeping their starters together, and who can blame them? With everything they have accomplished, you might as well keep them together at any cost and enjoy the ride. However, it does mean that a few of their players are a tad overpaid.

Rasheed Wallace has the biggest contract on the team with three years and $37 million remaining. There is no doubt that Rasheed is an important part of this team with his rebounding, defense, and three point shooting. But that much money for 15 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 43% shooting? Rasheed's contract isn't terrible, its just a little rich for what he brings to the table.

Tayshaun Prince signed a contract extension last summer that will pay him $48 million over the next five years. His defense causes big problems for other teams and he is a versatile player who can fill many roles for the Pistons. However, is $10 million a year the right amount for a player who averaged 14 points and 4.3 rebounds this season? All of Prince's stats were down this year compared to last year. If Prince kept improving, his deal would be well worth it, but if he has fulfilled all of his potential, his contract extension could end up being overpriced.

The Future: The Detroit Pistons have been extremely lucky that they have been able to avoid injuries. None of their starters has missed significant time in years. That's good because their bench is average at best.

Antonio McDyess is a good forward to bring in, but Maurice Evans and Tony Delk are the only other bench players who get any time and they are a big step down from Billups and Hamilton. By giving all their money to the starters, their bench talent will suffer. An injury to a starter would be devastating for this team, but so far, they haven't had to deal with it.

All nitpicking aside, this is still the best team in the league and the one that nobody wants to go up against in a playoff series. They don't have any horrible contracts and they get pretty good value out of their stars. This is a team that you wouldn't mind paying the luxury tax for, and they will after Ben Wallace's new contract. If the Pistons make the finals again this year, you can officially anoint them as a dynasty. Judging by their long-term contracts, they will be a dynasty for at least another three years. The rest of the Eastern Conference is cringing.

Bonus Points? for finally giving up on Darko. It may have been a difficult pill to swallow, but Joe Dumars finally made the right decision. You can't really draft a project player and expect him to develop by not playing him. I'm sure Dumars isn't losing any sleep over the whole ordeal, especially if Detroit adds another championship ring this year.

Grade: A-[/b]

http://www.nbadraft.net/2006stateofthecapdetroit001.asp

[Mobruler]

Rip Hamilton is earning his contract[/b]

I lol'd. Nice Miami series, Rip.

[Combs]

At least Rip was being aggressive and active out there though, he just couldnt get a shot to fall. Billups, Sheed and Ben for a few games wern't even tryin.

[loucifr]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Combs @ Jun 7 2006, 01:15 AM) [snapback]216[/snapback]</div>

At least Rip was being aggressive and active out there though, he just couldnt get a shot to fall. Billups, Sheed and Ben for a few games wern't even tryin.
[/b]

Yea I can't fault Rip for that, he was just cold, but at least he showed up to play. That coldstreak that hit him will surely haunt him all summer. That sucked.