Jerebko will be starter in a couple of years, if he is still around!

I think so! I have not seen anything from Maxiell this pre season. I don’t think Maxiell will be here much longer…

I still like Maxiell’s future in this league, but I’m curious what Joe Dumars would do if he could take a mulligan on the $20 million he gave Maxiell last summer.

The positive spin on that contract extension is this: Jod can’t afford to let an asset like Maxiel simply walk out the door. Instead, sign him to a reasonable contract. That way, if he slips out of the rotation, it’s not breaking the bank. And because the contract is reasonable, it’s tradeable.

Personally, I think Rip and Max are expendable right now. Rip’s contract is going to require the perfect situation in order to make a trade happen, because it’s a bad contract. But Max’s contract? Reasonable price for a promising young player — a player who’s widely believed to have the potential to be a solid NBA player.

Maybe we package Max and Rip for a big expiring deal? Maybe we trade him straight up? Or maybe we hold on to him and see if Jerebko’s legit or is just playing well for the moment.

The other thing I wanted to say —

From watching Jerebko thus far, it looks like the position he should eventually play is SF, with limited minutes at PF. His game is suited for that role; however, he doesn’t have the ball handling skills to do that just yet.

If he develops into a SF, as I think he will, then the eventual odd man out would be Austin Daye, not necessarily Maxiel or Wilcox …

But, right now, there is going to be at least one odd man out in the frontcourt each and every night. That’s just the reality of it.

I’m of the opinion that Joe’s trying to turn Jerebko into a David Lee/Louis Amundson PF/C hustle guy. He’s got the height already, and you’ve got think he’ll put on around 15+ lbs of muscle in the next couple years. He’s already shown the ability to rebound at the pro level, he already hustles his nuts off— basically he does what we want Max to do, and does it at 1/4 the price. I’m pretty sure that his playing so far (and if he continues it into the early season) is making Max expendable, and I’m happy with that. I’m personally more in favor of a Tay+Max trade (instead of Rip+Max), if we make any trades (please). I just think Rip, even though he’s older, still has more quality basketball in his system than Tay. His game is going to age remarkably well (look at Ray Allen, the only comparable player in the NBA right now, and Reggie Miller, effective into his late 30’s). Plus the fact that we have Daye, Summers, Washington, and Jerebko, who can all get minutes at the 3, makes a Tay+Max for “big stud” deal the most desirable.

Who do we trade for though? Tay+Max, salary-wise, will get us a max-deal guy.

Right now, Maxiell’s contract is worse than Rip’s, despite being less money. At least Rip is a very productive/borderline All-Star player who’s game is designed for longevity. Maxiell? He doesn’t even look like he cares. And while Hamilton is pretty unique, Maxiells are a dime-a-dozen. Tough realization, but Maxiell definitely didn’t deserve that extension and we should dump him for anything that isn’t a longer contract. Personally, if someone offered us a 2nd rounder for him, I’d take it, because we’re wasting $5 million a year on him. Wilcox is looking better, as he can play center AND hit his God damn free throws. Jerebko is looking more promising as well. Combined, they make 3/4ths of what Maxiell makes.

I was on board with the Maxiell extension, but I’m beginning to suspect his struggles last year weren’t just because MCIAFI.

Also, I wouldn’t pair him up Prince, as I think that Maxiell’s contract would be a negative. Prince will be worth quite a bit next season when he’s a productive expiring contract. Prince + Max won’t land you that max-deal player.

Yeah, I don’t think talent-wise you get a max-deal guy for Tay+Max— I was just saying that money-wise, their salaries add up to such.

Just playing with the Trade Machine— Max’s contract is horrible. I mean really bad. I guess you don’t really get it until you other (better) players’ salaries are sitting there in front of you and Max is making much much more. It’s damn near untradable— $5mil/3yrs? Insane. I’m with you in trying to trade him for any shorter contract.

…until you see other (better) players’ salaries…

I think Jerebko will ultimately play more at the 4 spot. He’s 6’10 about 225 right? With a proper diet and strength training he should be able to put on an additional 15-20 lbs. over the next couple years.

He seems to fit the mold of what Joe D is looking for from his 4’s…versatile offensive players with the ability to handle/shoot/drive while defensively they are quick enough to show and recover on pick and rolls. He’s by no means a finished product, but I think he projects to have that skill set.

Either way, he’s been a pleasant surprise so far and may end up earning the most playing time of all our rookies.

I think Jerebko will be able to play both forward spots as he develops. Dude put on over 30 pounds over the last two years and has a decent frame. He is only 22 (I think) and 230 pounds, so in a couple years he could easily be 6’10" and 245. With his hustle, I can see him being a very effective defender at the PF and SF spots. I’m not sure if he’ll ever develop a great offensive game, but I don’t really care.

Trading Max’s contract will be quite tricky in this economic climate. The best shot will probably come after the dust settles from free agency next summer. Maybe hanging onto Max wouldn’t be the worst thing.

I also agree with Joel that we should move Tay over Rip, mostly because Tay is going to be highly coveted by many teams with his contract and stature and will return a better player. Also, I just really like our back court as it stands, and think it could definately be a championship back court in time and with the right front court.

2009 Roster
Stuckey / Bynum
RIP / Gordon
Jerebko / Daye / RIP
CV / Jerebko / Max
Stud Center / Wilcox

If we can trade Tay + picks and/or Summers for a center, we should be all set. We also will have the mid-level next summer, so we can nicely shore up our front line and/or address the SF spot if Daye and Jerebko need more time.

Jonas Jerebko is a 4/5

Since Summerleague, Pistons media has been hyping Jerebko as a David Lee type. According to reports from practices he has been playing the 4/5 nearly exclusively. He is 6’10-230 lbs- he is a hustle guy, can rebound, and stretch the floor. Ive been very impressed with him. Jason Maxiel, Chris Wilcox and Dajuan Summers are the odd guys out IMO

The Pistons would have to be really lucky to find a partner to trade Maxiell to.

Maxie’s limitations are probably well documented at this point. Although he hasn’t been in the league that long, he is 27 (4 years of college) and should be in his prime at this point.

What does he excel at? Umm… dunking? Offensive rebounding? And the offensive rebounding is probably canceled out by the poor defensive rebounding.

The contract extension at the time seemed like a good idea as the team was still thinking that Max would both improve his mid-range jump shot and improve his defensive rebounding. Well, his jumper is still an adventure and he still hasn’t learned how to grab defensive rebounds.

Max’s contract isn’t killing the team, but when you have guys on the bench that can provide similar stats for a fraction of the cost, it doesn’t look good for the GM, the player, or the prospects of trading him.

IMHO a team would have to be either delusional or pretty damn desperate for a PF to trade for Maxy at this point. Regardless of how many infants he has ingested.

Hey, if we can find a taker for Nazr, we can move Maxiell.

In fact, aren’t the Bobcats looking for a back-up PF?

Ugh, I have no idea how to format.

Carrots my friend.

I agree with whoever said that Jerebko would put on more weight and would be able to bang more as a PF in the future. I don’t see him as an eventual starter though. I see him as an energy guy off the bench. Which is all you can ask for from a second round pick.

I like Maxiell and think he will make a good backup PF for some team, but I don’t know if he fits in this up-tempo Pistons game. He can run the court, but he’s not a very good passer or shooter. And he’s not a great defensive rebounder so he can’t trigger the break.

Jason Maxiell eats babies.

Men, however, he has a problem with.

I think Jerebko can bulk up quite a bit. When you see him out there, he looks like a kid next to grown men. He’ll fill out naturally as he ages, but if he hits the weights with Arnie and Ben he’ll be in good shape.

This is very off topic, but wouldn’t “Commissioner Gordon” be a good nickname for BG? I kind of like that.

Jerebko is like Walter Herrmann, but with slightly less fantastic hair and way more talent. He’s got the European good looks and the unintentional comedic value (although nowhere near as high as Mr. Mann’s happy feet defense), and I guarantee he’s just as big a fan favorite as Herrmann was.

The question is, what’s more important: fantastic hair or talent? It’s a tough call, really.

Oh well. All the praise being bestowed on Jerebko right is reminiscent of the accolades reaped by Maxiell when he came up. Oh fickle NBA fan.

I think some perspective here: Max was signed before anyone knew Ben would be here. And given last season, I think we pretty much knew Sheed and Dice wouldn’t be back. We have an entergy guy off the bench, reasonably priced, believes in what we’re doing and probably won’t hurt you when he’s on the court.

As for Jonas, he’s definitely got some athletic pedigree and I think that that his family’s background regarding the Olympics (his mom was on the team or in track & field or something if I recall) has definitely led to him to have a “tougher” outlook than most European guys because his parent(s) are going to know what it takes to compete at an international level. . . at least I think.

Plus, he really fits in with where the NBA game is heading in terms of more tempo. Plus being 19 or 20 and playing professionally in Europe vs. USA college ball is going to allow you to work on your game more just due to the time available structure, provided its properly used.

As a team, I think we’re on the right track. You need to have depth. Clev, Orl, Phx, Dallas, Bos, are one injury to a star away from being a lottery team or damn close. An arguement can be made regarding CB trade (or injury) but I also think last year’s clusterscrew played a large part. Take an injury to one of our players, we will regress a bit but not be absolutely awful. Of course, we’re starting from a lower starting point than the teams I listed.

I think LB was right. You hustle, play D and play the game the right way and things will fall into line. We had more talent on last season’t squad, but I’d give us a push at worst if 09 played 08 team (after CB trade). And in doing so, I think fans will put more buts in the seats for that type of team. And I just realized, how ironic is it that we open vs. Memphis? think AI hits the ground a couple of times a bit harder than otherwise?

@MB

No, AI won’t hit the ground. He won’t be playing. I think he has a “hurt back” or something. He’ll probably be good to go for their second game of the season though…

“Jerebko is like Walter Herrmann, but with slightly less fantastic hair and way more talent.”

Not a chance. Herrmann was immensely talented. His problem was on defensive effort and lateral quickness. But dude could score from anywhere, hit his fair share of circus shots, had decent handles, great fadeaway, that GORGEOUS finger-roll… I don’t think talent was the problem. I bet Fabio would’ve been incredible in Phoenix’s system.

@Joel

OK, that was some hyperbole on my part. I meant more that Jerebko will be a much more effective player. Herrmann had, like, 3 or 4 very good games last year, but was pretty terrible otherwise. I’m not going to miss his 39% shooting and lack of D. I mean, his big strength was supposed to be 3 point shooting, and he was painfully average at that (34%). Jerebko is going to contribute a lot more to the team.

As for Jonas, he’s definitely got some athletic pedigree and I think that that his family’s background regarding the Olympics (his mom was on the team or in track & field or something if I recall) has definitely led to him to have a "tougher" outlook than most European guys because his parent(s) are going to know what it takes to compete at an international level. . . at least I think.

I went to college with his uncle Pete. He was a pretty dam good D2 player. The coach during that time was John Beilein. The dude looks a lot like his uncle. His dad played for Syracuse.