Pistons' Dumars may still swing in-season trade

A. Sherrod Blakely By A. Sherrod Blakely
on October 28, 2008 at 12:35 AM, updated October 28, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Chauncey Billups was one of the many Pistons who were rumored to be on the trading block during the offseason.

Answering the Pistons' key questions heading into the season:

Why did Joe Dumars bring his core group back when he seemed so determined to break up his team?

Having a roster that looked nearly identical to past years was not what Joe Dumars intended. But he discovered this summer that while GMs held his team in high esteem, they didn't have nearly as much love for his players individually. So with no trade offer to his liking, Dumars elected the best move to make, roster-wise, was really no move.

Will the Pistons make a trade at some point during the season?

The plan for now is to stand pat, but it's hard to imagine the team on opening night will be the same one you see when the playoffs begin in April. Most of the trade talk has focused on Detroit's main guys, but a smaller deal involving one of the team's backups seems more likely.

Why is Amir Johnson starting ahead of Jason Maxiell despite Maxiell's better numbers?

Because the last thing the Pistons need in their starting lineup is another scorer. They needed someone like Johnson, who not only could be a solid role player with the first unit, but who also brings some much-needed quickness and athleticism to Detroit's aging frontcourt

Who is the best player who probably won't play much this season?

Without question, Walter Herrmann is a much better player than the limited minutes he'll see. A solid 6-foot-9 forward, Herrmann has the size to defend players at both forward positions. And because of his shooting range, he can cause problems for opponents defensively as well. However, his chances of playing took a major blow when he missed a good chunk of training camp with sore ribs. The injury, coupled with Arron Afflalo's strong play, has Herrmann on the outside of the team's regular rotation.

Will the Pistons look to re-sign Rasheed Wallace this summer?

Bringing Wallace back is something the Pistons are considering, but it would have to be a short-term deal that's for significantly less than the $13.68 million he's making this season. Despite his game clearly being on the decline, the Pistons still believe that Wallace has enough left to help them remain a title contender.

Will Detroit's vaunted defense be any better under Michael Curry than it was under Flip Saunders?

Statistically, they should be about the same. But the difference will be more so in the team's identity. Under Saunders, Detroit was gradually becoming more of an offensive-minded team. Curry was a gritty, defensive-minded player and demands the same from his players.

How much will Kwame Brown help this season?

He'll play, but it will be in a limited role. The former No. 1 pick is a part-time rotation player who will get a portion of Maxiell's minutes off the bench when Detroit plays bigger teams such as Orlando and Cleveland.

Is Rodney Stuckey ready to replace Chauncey Billups as a starter?

Stuckey isn't ready, but he's pretty darn close. Last season was Stuckey's introduction to the NBA. This season will be about introducing the second-year guard to the idea of playing significant minutes. He'll be pushing Billups for the starting job next season. It's unclear if Billups would be content with being a backup to Stuckey, or would ask to be traded if he does in fact lose his starting job.

Maxiell won't sign an extension before Oct. 31, so he becomes a free agent this summer. Are there any other Pistons players Detroit has to worry about re-signing this summer?

In addition to Maxiell's extension, the Pistons likely will have to do something with Richard Hamilton. He is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent this summer. However, it appears the Pistons will work out an extension that will probably add another three years or so to Hamilton's current deal (which is set to expire after the 2009-2010 season). Second-year center Cheikh Samb will also be a free agent, but the Pistons are likely to wait until late summer to decide on whether they will re-sign him. Brown and Will Bynum can opt out of their contracts and become free agents this summer, but both are unlikely to exercise that option.

How far will the Pistons go this season?

With a better balance of youth and experience in the regular rotation, the Pistons should make it out of the East this season. Rodney Stuckey has superstar potential, and Amir Johnson seems to be getting better with each passing day. Combine that with a talented, championship-driven group of veterans who know this probably will be their last run together, and it adds up to a team playing for a title.