Honolulublue

The Pistons were busy this offseason. After their 2nd round exit to the Magic, the gm vowed to stay in the championship hunt. Grant Hill wanted to resign with the Pistons for 5 seasons, but the gm felt as if that was too much. They had planned to try to resign Grant in FA to a shorter leaner contract, but Grant ended up retiring a Piston. The Pistons want to thank Grant for his time he gave us. Sorry we couldn't win that championship.

So with that decided, it was time for the draft and free agency. In the draft the Pistons only had a late 2nd round pick. The Pistons with a major need for a SF had a decision to make. When it came down to that decision, The Pistons went another position. Taylor Coppenwrath, a C/PF from Vermont who happens to be 25 already. Why someone 25 and not a SF we asked the Pistons GM? BPA, he is ready to play now, with us still close to being a championship team, he will instantly play in the lineup. Coppenwrath is one of the best basketball players to ever come from Vermont. We are excited to have him.

So with the draft concluded the Pistons next focus was free agency and finding some SF help. We put in alot of bids, but they were all low cause we didn't have much to play around with. Once we got over the cap, we could then use our MLE which we did. So who did the Pistons pick up in free agency? Let's take a look...

They resigned their own player 23 year old Jason Maxiell to a two year minimum contract to help add depth.

They signed veteran SF Ruben Patterson to a one year contract. Patterson will come off the bench. He will be a key player

They signed 24 year old Ryan Gomes to a two year contract. Gomes will also come off the bench. Also will be a key player.

And finally signed veteran Jalen Rose to replace Grant Hill as starter at SF. They used the MLE exception on him.

With that the Pistons starting lineup remains mostly intact from last years playoff team. The bench remains strong also. League MVP Chauncey Billups was being tossed around in trade talks, but remains with the team. They feel that Devin Harris is ready to start but would give them a great backup PG, and if Billups goes down they can keep things going. The Pistons don't have a true superstar, but with a league MVP on the team, it doesn't matter much.

Pistons season predictions
50 wins and 4th seed playoffs

Starting Lineup

C Nazr Mohammed
PF Rasheed Wallace
SF Jalen Rose
SG J.J. Reddick
PG Chauncey Billups

6th man
C/PF Antonio McDyess

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MoNeY_MiKe__

I don't know if the Pistons will win 50 games, they'll be close though. Nice article.

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Ohio State Buckeyes Fan Since 1996


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Sacramento Kings GM

Mike Bibby - PG
Rajon Rondo - SG
Brad Miller - C
Jermaine O'Neal - PF
Willie Green - SF

DTP

I think they'll be close to about 41-42 games. Hill have Detroit that 3rd scorer that they very much needed once Prince and Hamilton was both traded away and yeah Rose can score but not 18ppg or so. Also Rose is a downgrade on the defensive end, and the bench for Detroit will have to play more minutes because I don't know if Chauncey can go another season 39mpg with sheed at 35mph. Remember it's a marathon not a race, an if they keep playing Sheed and Billups like they are they will both be too tired to finish out the marathon.

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HT San Antonio Spurs (0-0)

9 Parker
12 Wilkins
13 Palacios
21 Duncan
3 Wallace

Year 1- 47-35 Loss in WCF 1-4 to Phx
Year 2- 40-42 Loss in 1st Round 1-4 to Phx

Aim-YoungDtop