Pistons want Bonzi?

[Bricklayer]

Frankly, despite the enticing possibilities (and they woudl be enticing), at 32 and on the downward side, doing a sign and trade to get Big Ben on a monster 6 yr deal or whatnot would be pretty questionable. Down the back half of his career he is likely going to look much like Dale Davis did as he got older. Generally you would like moster deals to be ending out somewhere around somebody's 35th birthday or so, not when they are 38-39 or whatever.

 

[Padrino]

with all of this talk about pistons free agents and the average age of their team, it seems like their reign atop the league was rather short-lived. shame, too...cuz those guys played some awesome defense together. they've probably got a couple of great seasons ahead of them still, but outside of tayshaun prince, they don't have a whole lotta young talent to cultivate.

 

[jacobdrj]

with all of this talk about pistons free agents and the average age of their team, it seems like their reign atop the league was rather short-lived. shame, too...cuz those guys played some awesome defense together. they've probably got a couple of great seasons ahead of them still, but outside of tayshaun prince, they don't have a whole lotta young talent to cultivate.

Ironic, because 2 years ago, they were on the way up with names ranging from Rebracca to Okur to Milicic to Delfino, to Arroyo... hmm, I think I am noticeing a pattern...

 

[nbrans]

Frankly, despite the enticing possibilities (and they woudl be enticing), at 32 and on the downward side, doing a sign and trade to get Big Ben on a monster 6 yr deal or whatnot would be pretty questionable. Down the back half of his career he is likely going to look much like Dale Davis did as he got older. Generally you would like moster deals to be ending out somewhere around somebody's 35th birthday or so, not when they are 38-39 or whatever.

I tend to agree. Ben doesn't really have very many skills to rely upon when his athleticism gives way to old age. He's also going to command a monster deal. I disagree with kings113 -- it's within the realm of possibility for the Kings to get him if the Pistons balk at his price tag. He hired a new agent with an eye to driving up his price tag. But the fact remains, the first two years with Big Ben could be great for the Kings. After that he could be a massive albatross.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I think Ben's limited offensive skills would hamper us and is better suited to the Eastern Conference style of play. I'd rather have the other Wallace. Especially if we're talking about giving up a two-way player like Bonzi.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

i would do bonzi and miller for ben and arroyo

isn't arroyo in orlando?

 

[sActOwnGal]

isn't arroyo in orlando?

yeah, i believe he is.

 

[BMiller52]

I think Ben's limited offensive skills would hamper us and is better suited to the Eastern Conference style of play. I'd rather have the other Wallace. Especially if we're talking about giving up a two-way player like Bonzi.

Me too. Sheed's skillset is perfect for our team right now IMO.

 

[Larry89]

Me too. Sheed's skillset is perfect for our team right now IMO.

But Sheed has a very hampering problem with his mouth. It opens.

 

[BigSong]

Ironic, because 2 years ago, they were on the way up with names ranging from Rebracca to Okur to Milicic to Delfino, to Arroyo... hmm, I think I am noticeing a pattern...

none of 'em can play defense?

Me too. Sheed's skillset is perfect for our team right now IMO.

couldn't just about any fan of any nba team say this?

 

[HndsmCelt]

Not sure if reuniting Sheed and Bonzi is a good call in the best of situations and given Muss's questionable skills at dealing with personalities that makes this even more dubious a risk.

 

[Bricklayer]

Me too. Sheed's skillset is perfect for our team right now IMO.

Sheed is a complete wuss on the glass (NOT what we need) and a disrupting force to almost any team but the one he's on, and in nthe playoffs, to them too. Let alone one already with Ron Artest and Bonzi Wells on it. Not only that, he's getting old. Pass. In large letters. If the money were reasonable I'd take Big Ben any day of the week and twice on Sundays before Sheed.

 

[ezekielbear]

Since some people thought I was full of it...

lol

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/SPORTS0102/606060319/1004/SPORTS

The Pistons are likely to make a run at free agent Bonzi Wells, a former Pistons draft pick, who played in Sacramento last season. Other free agents who would fit the need would be former Piston Mike James, recently of Toronto (although he might command too much money), Philadelphia's John Salmons and Memphis' Bobby Jackson.

 

[hammystyle]

Sheed is a complete wuss on the glass (NOT what we need) and a disrupting force to almost any team but the one he's on, and in nthe playoffs, to them too. Let alone one already with Ron Artest and Bonzi Wells on it. Not only that, he's getting old. Pass. In large letters. If the money were reasonable I'd take Big Ben any day of the week and twice on Sundays before Sheed.

Sheed is not a disrupting force to his teams. In fact, in both the Pistons and Blazers locker rooms he was held in great respect. He's seven days younger than Ben Wallace as well. He would help because he is a great offensive and defensive player, something that Ben Wallace is not.

That said, I think I'd rather have Ben, but I don't know if that's feasile. And I wouldn't pair him with Bonzi again either, but isn't this the Bonzi traded to the Pistons thread?

 

[VF21]

Since some people thought I was full of it...

lol

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/SPORTS0102/606060319/1004/SPORTS

No one said you were full of it. It's still a rumor... and it's still June. By the time July 1 rolls around there will probably be articles similar to this involving at least half a dozen (if not more) teams being interested in Bonzi.

 

[JB_kings]

That's not even Joe Dumars talking - it's a writer. Teams cannot talk about free agents now. Agents usually are the source of all these things because they serve their interests.

 

[ezekielbear]

Well, that's kinda obvious...GM's don't really come out and say what players they want, etc.

But, obviously, as seen by earlier Piston moves since Joe D has been GM, they leak a lot of stuff as well.

It's been reported in a few sources now...so...while it's still a "rumor", I'm sure it has some backing to it, even if a little. And as you said, I'm sure Mr. Agent got his pieces in as well.

 

[Kings113]

Bonzi going to the Detroit bench (again)? I don't know. From what he's said about Sac, and what we can give him, not buying it. Especially with Detroit possibly dropping off to a dergee.

 

[BMiller52]

I know Detroit probably wants him and I believe you but I don't think BONZI wants Detroit. They're dropping off because their guys are getting older and they have no bench and flip is a bad defensive coach. They can't even give him much money so it'd have to be a S&T and the only player they have we could use is Sheed who they would need a replacement for. Maybe Reef+Bonzi for Sheed+Delfino+Kelvin Cato S&Ted.

 

[Superman]

ah yes, my bad, totally forgot about this being the last year for Tayshaun's contract as well, he only made $1.7mil. last year, so I'm sure he will want a sizable raise. So they have Ben and Tayshaun to re-sign...which they should do, but you never know. I dont want Bonzi to go anywhere, but not sure how far over the cap the Maloofs are willing to spend due to the $-$ luxury tax, and we'd be right at the cap next year, even without Bonzi, so everything we give Bonzi will be money owed by the Maloofs to the NBA.

The luxury tax doesn't kick in until several million after the salary cap. At least that's the way it's been in recent years.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Sheed is not a disrupting force to his teams. In fact, in both the Pistons and Blazers locker rooms he was held in great respect. He's seven days younger than Ben Wallace as well. He would help because he is a great offensive and defensive player, something that Ben Wallace is not.

That said, I think I'd rather have Ben, but I don't know if that's feasile. And I wouldn't pair him with Bonzi again either, but isn't this the Bonzi traded to the Pistons thread?

pass on the sheed. hes a headcase even on a winning team. he won't keep his trap shut (guaranteeing a win) not showing up. wth is that kinda crap. we don't need someone working their jaw and not producing on the court. when artest says something he'll do everything possible to try to make it happen.

 

[VF21]

If we were forced to take a Wallace, I'd just as soon have Gerald back. Ben cannot play offensive, Rasheed is one problem too many. Unfortunately, we really don't have a spot for Gerald.

 

[BMiller52]

pass on the sheed. hes a headcase even on a winning team. he won't keep his trap shut (guaranteeing a win) not showing up. wth is that kinda crap. we don't need someone working their jaw and not producing on the court. when artest says something he'll do everything possible to try to make it happen.

He didn't show up vs the heat because he was playing on a badly sprained ankle...

 

[Kings113]

Pistons are also looking at Juan Dixon for the scoring guard off the bench. Was never just Bonzi, just possibilities and rumors about who they're looking for as a spark guard.

 

[DocHolliday]

Bonzi isn't going anywhere he has to sit on the bench. He will have too many options of places he can go and start. I'm sure he thinks his bench days are at least 4 or 5 years away, and he's right.

 

[ezekielbear]

Seems like a lot of people are using Hoopshype for their salary info.

Prince already signed an extention...so he's not a FA. And Ben isn't a RFA.

Hoopshype is pretty behind on all their stuff.

Pistons are more or less cap spent...they really can't just go sign Bonzi, other then for the MLE...which I highly doubt he would take, even for the Pistons.

Better Salaries which are up to date so people don't need to use Hoopshype's false info.

 

[jacobdrj]

none of 'em can play defense?

If by can't play defense, you mean can play defense, then sure. Okur plays excelent D, against slower centers and on help-side. Delfino has impressed me 1-on-1, and Darko looks like he is gonna be a shot-blocking machine.
Rebracca was pretty medeocre. He was on the virge of breaking out before the heart problems.

 

[ezekielbear]

Darko and Dwight Howard is going to be a NASTY shot blocking force. Watch out.

 

[BMiller52]

Seems like a lot of people are using Hoopshype for their salary info.

Prince already signed an extention...so he's not a FA. And Ben isn't a RFA.

Hoopshype is pretty behind on all their stuff.

Pistons are more or less cap spent...they really can't just go sign Bonzi, other then for the MLE...which I highly doubt he would take, even for the Pistons.

Better Salaries which are up to date so people don't need to use Hoopshype's false info.

You think there's any chance Detroit wants to do a S&T with us and who'd it be for?

 

[Venom]

You think there's any chance Detroit wants to do a S&T with us and who'd it be for?

I think they would probably like to move the Wallaces. Rasheed has a big contract, and Ben will be getting one soon. Both are, I believe, 32 years old. Also, Chauncey is due for an extension next year. I imagine that if they are truly interested in Bonzi it would be to run a modified version of what the Suns do. Slide Prince down to the 4 spot, and move Bonzi to the 3. They would probably prefer to keep Rasheed over Ben because he is more versatile and can spread the floor.

If Miller is immovable, Ben Wallace would make a whole lot of sense. We don't need more guys who want the ball in their hands, and we have the ideal sub for Wallace in SAR. It would be very simple to exchange defense for offense, or even to sub Miller's shooting for SAR's post play. Wallace's contract would probably become dead weight after the 4 year mark, but that would provide us a very frisky team for the next 4 years. One of those calculated gambles the Maloofs seem to enjoy taking.