I don’t very much like Drew Sharp’s work for the Detroit Free Press, and I don’t seem to be alone in that regard. For that reason, I’m hesitant to even throw a link his way, but I’m compelled to because he actually raises an interesting point that I’ve often pondered myself these last few months. From Sharp’s column on Monday:
There’s an increasing suspicion that point guard Chauncey Billups is playing his last season in Detroit. He’ll opt out of his contract, seeking a maximum deal. But Billups’ real value to the Pistons is a sign-and-trade chip that could bring in a couple of younger pieces next season.
Do they turn Billups into another Grant Hill? Apply the Larry Bird exception to give Billups the most money possible and then ship him. That scenario works out best for both parties. The player gets his big bucks and the team gets better compensation than just a draft pick if they moved Billups before the trading deadline.
The Pistons won’t acknowledge it, but this is a transitional period. But everyone should brace themselves, because the real change is a year away.
I’d like to think that it’s a shoo-in for Billups to return… but if Ben Wallace can leave, Billups certainly can. Do you think it’ll happen? Is he worth a max contract, or should Detroit attempt to negotiate a sign-and-trade?
While we’re at it, here’s another point to consider, and one that I’m surprised very few people have mentioned: Antonio McDyess is also eligible to opt out of his contract at the end of the season. Like Billups, he’s due for a raise, and he’ll likely receive it, whether it’s from Detroit or another team.
I like McDyess as much as the next guy (and maybe even more so), but re-signing him to a longer and more expensive deal this summer is extremely risky. Sooner or later, Jason Maxiell will deserve sixth-man minutes, and with any luck Amir Johnson will be ready to contribute next year.
Plus, there’s the age/injury factor. Granted, McDyess has missed only five games in two seasons with Detroit, but he’s an old 32 years old given his history of knee injuries. If he prices himself at the upper end of Detroit’s budget, Joe Dumars will need to ask himself if he’d rather use that money on a younger player with the potential to someday start, or at the very least one who can bring immediate energy off the bench instead of someone who needs to be eased into games.
Who might that be? I’m not saying they’re actually better options, but here are some names: Chicago’s Andres Nocioni (whom I hate but also compare to a smaller Bill Laimbeer) and Cleveland’s Anderson “Sideshow” Varejao (whom I hate but only because he out-hustled Detroit’s frontcourt in the playoffs last year) will be restricted free agents this summer, and they’re six and eight years younger than McDyess, respectively.
Unlike Billups and McDyess, who have the option of becoming free agents, Dale Davis will definitely be one at the end of the year. While I can’t imagine any scenario in which Billups is dealt midseason, I could see a lot of teams inquire about McDyess and/or Davis — including playoff contenders looking to shore up their frontcourt depth as well as non-contenders looking to acquire an “expiring” contract. If the Pistons are .500 at the midway point, should Dumars start taking those calls?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hitting the panic button after a 5-5 start (especially considering two of those losses were by a single basket), but it’s worth considering: how much change is still in store for this roster this season? And if the roster doesn’t see significant changes this year, do you expect (and do you want) it to remain intact heading into next year?
Trading Billups could spark rebuilding [Detroit Free Press]
Based upon the shrinking market for 30 year old PFs with a history of multiple knee histories, I don’t think Dice will opt out, unless it is for a change of scenery. I doubt anyone is going to give him a new deal with more years tacked on than what he has coming from Detroit.
http://www.storytellerscontracts.info/resources/06-07salaries.htm
You have to remember that Dice’s option actually triggers TWO more years on his deal, with $13 million guaranteed.
Micro: As far as I’m aware, this is the first time I’ve heard that McDyess has a two-year option on his contract. That site you list appears to be comprehensive, but are you sure it’s 100% accurate? The only reason I question is because I can’t find any other resource/article that confirms it.
This is just Sharp being dull again. CB is one of the best PGs in the game and Joe knows this. No way is he going anywhere. The Pistons are not in “transition” except in terms of re-establishing their identity. They will be in the neighborhood of 55 wins yet again and make another run at the Finals, with CB leading the way.
After a bit more searching, I was able to find this…
http://www.nbatrips.be/rumors.html
… which quotes a Detroit News report from just before McDyess signed which suggests his contract would include an “unspecified option for a fifth year.”
The fifth year (08-09) described in the link Micro provided isn’t actually guaranteed unless/until McDyess plays in at least 60 games in 07-08, which may be why no one talks about it (assuming that option is really there). While playing in 60 games shouldn’t be a problem for McDyess given his recent injury history, there’s always the chance he’d bite at fully guaranteed money from another contender.
Keep Tay, Sheed, Rip, and Bup-bup. Get rid of Dyess, Davis, Murray, Saunders. Sign Noccioni, get Tom Izzo to coach the pistons and we are set. As long as Tay, and Rip are here for their careers and Sheed retires from the Det. we are alright. Point guard wise they better start planning for the phuture. We dont have a very good back-up point, Lindsey is older than dirt and murray is garbage. We need to get a good point guard in next years draft.
Matt, it is a player option. If Dice takes it, and the Pistons do not allow him to reach the games played milestone, they would take a huge credibility hit with potential free agents.
As far as I am concerned, that money is guaranteed, and even in the extraordinary event that the second year is void, Dice still collects $6.3 million for one year of less than 60 games played and enters free agency one year later.
McDyess has already made over $90 million in his career. I don’t see him making a move for a payday.
I never suggested that anything aside from health would prevent him from playing in 60 games next year (assuming, that is, that the 08-09 option actually exists, which I don’t think we actually settled yet).
Maybe he makes a move for a payday, or maybe he moves to greener pastures… and there will be plenty of greener pastures with teams if Chauncey bolts. McDyess seems to be all about winning an NBA championship before he retires, and should Chauncey leave, there’s no real reason for him to think the best chance of that happening is in Detroit.
I really don’t think Joe D is going to give Mr.Big Shot the max deal. He will make a more than fair offer, but some other team will offer more than we are willing to match. Plus Mr.Big shot will be over 30 next summer. Joe D has said before the game is different for G than it is for Big men. Mr.Big Shot is getting slow and has problems staying in front of younger PGs. I like the sign and trade idea. As far as Dice. I don’t think he will opt out of his deal unless he starts playing like a all-star and wins 6 man of the year. Not going to happen. I just don’t think there is a real market for him. I would like to see Tay and rip play with some younger Gs before while their in their the prime. I am all for trading dice this year as well.
FYI, Dice and Chauncey have the same agent. You might be on to something Matt.
I think that chauncey billups will not leave, because he mean’s a lot to this team and he keep’s the offense going. Also he is a great point guard and Joe d know’s that. But with chauncey’s struggles in the cleveland series his offer’s may go down and other teams will offer him a lot like what happeneed last year with big ben. So there’s a 50 50 chance chauncey billups will leave. But we will see what Joe Dumars is going to do.
I think that chauncey billups will not leave, because he mean’s a lot to this team and he keep’s the offense going. Also he is a great point guard and Joe d know’s that. But with chauncey’s struggles in the cleveland series his offer’s may go down and other teams will offer him a lot like what happeneed last year with big ben. So there’s a 50 50 chance chauncey billups will leave. But we will see what Joe Dumars is going to do. PLus i on abc rip said “i chauncey leave’s i am gonna leave.” So probalbly rip will convience chauncey billups to stay.
I think chauncey billuos will leave detrroit because they got beat 2 years in a row. So chauncey might want to leave because he wants a ring. Also he struugled in the cleveland series. And pistons are going to break out this year. Everyone is getting old “lindsey hunter is old is dirt” and ” flip murray is garbage.” Also rasheed is getting old as hell. Oviacley chauncey might want leave and he’s making a good choice about leaving detroit. Right now pistons are garbage. Who Knows whats gonna happened “trade rip and tay for kobe Mr. ballhog. Na. Pisstons suck right now face it.