Detroit now a possible landing spot for LeBron?
One of the by-products of the Billups-for-Iverson swap is that the Detroit Pistons will have a ton of cap space in the summer of 2010, when LeBron James and a number of high-profile free agents could potentially hit the free market. Henry Abbott of TrueHoop goes through the options.
Down the road the Pistons becomes the driving force of big-time free agency as soon as Iverson’s contract comes off the books next summer. The Pistons will combine a winning environment, one of the most respected general managers in the game, and — depending on salary cap levels that are yet to be set, and extensions that may yet be given to existing Pistons — likely enough cap space to sign two free agent players to max contracts over the next summers of 2009 and 2010.
Feast your eyes on this list of players who will be available. 2010 free agents include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd.
The two that jump out to me are, of course, Chris Bosh and LeBron James. They played together nicely on Team USA, and now Dumars can at least entertain the notion of signing not one of those two, but both.
A team that suspects one of those players might leave via free agency in 2010 might be compelled to realize some value for the player by dealing with a team under the cap like the Pistons in the summer of 2009. (The NBA’s rules about matching up salaries in trades only apply to teams that are over the salary cap. Once Iverson’s big contract is off the books next summer, the Pistons will be able to deal freely.)
Other than Tayshaun Prince and Jason Maxiell, no other Piston is currently signed through 2011 (though the franchise is likely to exercise its option on Rodney Stuckey’s rookie contract). That puts Detroit’s payroll at an estimated $19 million for the 2010-11 season, which should give the team major salary cap flexibility during the summer of 2010.
Abbott thinks that the Pistons can turn this cap space into two premier players. Throw in Prince, Maxiell and Stuckey, and that’s a nice core.
Update: The Pistons signed Rip Hamilton to a three-year extension worth $34 million that would presumably keep him in Detroit through the 2013 season.
Posted in: Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip
Tags: Allen Iverson, Allen Iverson trade, Chauncey Billups, Chauncey Billups trade, Detroit Pistons, Detroit Pistons LeBron, Detroit Pistons LeBron James, Detroit Pistons salary cap, Detroit salary cap, Iverson for Billups, LeBron James 2010, LeBron James free agency, LeBron to Detroit?, Richard Hamilton, Richard Hamilton contract, Richard Hamilton extension, Rip Hamilton, Rip Hamilton contract, Rip Hamilton extension
I cannot see LeBron leaving Cleveland for Detroit. He has openly implied that his show will hit Broadway in the near future…playing at MSG.
Wow – that makes this look like a great move given all the possibilities. That said, I agree with Thomas – there’s no way Lebron leaves Cleveland for Detroit. Cleveland can pay him more money, and Detroit doeesn’t measure up to NY or LA>
LeBron would stupid if he didn’t at least consider detroit. Coach Larry brown saw first hand what a dream job New York is and L.A. will never get rid of Kobe or share the stage. Example SHAQ! And detroit would give him max contract so cleveland has no chance in keeping him. Its all hypothetical anyway. Maybe he can go to Miami. Its warm and they suck!. Good luck Lebron!
as a pistons fan, i’m still a little uneasy about this trade. billups was one of the best point guards going around and without dyce, a lot of responsiblity falls on kwame, maxiel and amir johnson. it’s exciting to mix up the roster though.
and as for 2010, i’ll have bosh and wade please
The Pistons had their shot at both Bosh and Wade back in 2003 and they elected to take Darko Milicic instead.
no keep leBron on the cavs!!!!!!!!
in the 2009 Free agency Joe Dumars stated that he will Sign Carlos Boozer because Jazz resigned Paul Milsap instead of Boozer, So Boozer himself stated that he has to destinations to arrive to. Those 2 are Detroit Pistons or New Jersey Nets. The Nets arnt an option no more since they are over the Cap Space so they cannot sign him. Boozer said he would sign with the Pistons. Joe Dumars said he will sign Boozer and then try trading Boozer and a Draft Pick for Chris Bosh. Its a great trade for me and would work out for both teams. If Raptors accept then Detroit just picked up the most dominant PF/C and of probably the best of all PF/C in the NBA. If they dont accept then Detroit still picked up Boozer a 2 time all star and is also a dominant PF. Joe Dumars also stated that he will try trading RIP for Ben Gordon. Either way this works out for the Pistons. This Year Pistons will be a championship contending Team. Lineup would be
PG-Rodney Stucky
SG-R.I.P (if trade works then) SG-Ben Gordon
SF-Tayshaun Prince
PF-Carlos Boozer(if trade works then)PF-Chris Bosh
C-Antonio McDyess
Dominant Lineup, Great Offense and Great Defense. Both Rodney Stuckey and R.I.P or Ben Gordon can both dominate from Mid Range and Gordon can dominate from 3, Tayshaun can dominate from out side at the 3 and can post, Carlos Boozer or Chris Bosh can dominate from Mid Range and explode in the Post and Antonio can put it down from Mid Range and Close inside the paint. On Defense Rodney Stuckey can steal. R.I.P can play pressure defense. Tayshaun can block anyone who drives in the lane. Carlos Boozer or Chris Bosh can both grab at least 10 boards a game and both can block and Antonio can block and also grab rebounds.
Championship Team right there. and if we get LeBron it would be even better for pistons.
Where did Joe Dumars “say” all of this, Boss? Do you have a link?