Melo not going to Detroit?

It's been no secret that the Denver Nuggets were recently contacted by the Detroit Pistons and the two clubs had several conversations about a deal involving sending Melo to Detroit for Billups and Tayshaun. The Nuggets are declining that offer and have instead proposed a deal involving Allen Iverson or a package built around Marcus Camby. But the Pistons are only interested in Anthony.

Anthony's agent has confirmed with Nuggets' brass that they are not interested in trading Carmelo.

Trades, Draft, Pistons Talk...

There are many possibilities when it comes to changing the Pistons' roster this off-season.  Here are a few quick thoughts on what I could see happening, or maybe what I'm sub-consciously hoping happens:

1.  Rip and Tay for Tracy McGrady.  T-Mac hasn't been past the first round of the playoffs, he's an annual All-Star, and he's a proven scorer.  Rodney Stuckey can fill in where Rip would leave a void, and fill in nicely.  We'd miss out on Tayshaun's defense a bit, but if we get a big man in the draft who can block shots, that would make up for it.  McGrady would be sweet in a Piston's uniform.

2.  Sheed for any decent post player and a couple draft picks.  It's been noted that Sheed's contract will be tough to trade, but with the young players in our system stepping up, I think we can afford to dump his attitude for something close to that.  

3.  Draft a big man or two.  Our guards are set with Chauncey/Rip/Stuckey giving us three great threats.  We still don't have a legitimate Center on our roster.  Sheed is a guard playing in a PF's body, McDyess is getting older every game, and Ratliff will probably be gone after this season.  Get a big man that can post up and block shots.

That would be suuuuuper...

Time for a Change

"I will not settle for complacency" .... a direct quote from Detroit Pistons' GM Joe Dumars at the end of last year's Eastern Conference Finals after being defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a lackluster series by the Pistons.

Well here we are again. The Pistons choked in the Eastern Conference Finals again this year. After being up ten points in the fourth quarter of game 6, they proceeded to blow it in a Celtics 17 point swing and eliminate the Pistons in the series.

Well Joe, it looks like it's time to make some changes. Tayshaun Prince disappeared in the playoffs this year and Rasheed Wallace seemed disinterested at times all year long, not to mention playing aweful in Game 6. Rasheed Wallace would be a tough player to move in the size of his contract and age. However Tayshaun would be a a very moveable player on a team that is in need of change.