Wolverine0056

August 9th, 2010 at 4:46 PM ^

That would be interesting. Have never been a big fan of McGrady's but I have nothing against him. The Pistons need some help and hopefully this would bring some.

Paly33

August 9th, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^

Not a big fan of McGrady but I think you do this all day.  Pistons can't really go wrong signing a guy to a $1.3 million contract that has a ton of upside if he can just stay healthy.

Kal

August 9th, 2010 at 4:56 PM ^

Oh that's what we need, more depth at shooting guard.. I'm hoping this is just some sort of trade bait, where we can package McGrady and someone else in order to bring in a legit forward or center.

bronxblue

August 9th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^

For the veteran's minimum, he would be a nice wing shooter or the leader of the second team.  With what Ben Gordon, Charlie V, and Stuckey have provided offensively the past year, another scorer, even in spots, would be huge.  Sure, defensively you lose something when he is out there, but he should at least be able to stay in front of his man and put a hand in a guy's face. 

bacon1431

August 9th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^

Joe just needs to put butts in the seats. Pistons aren't going to be able to think about contending until the team is sold. Mrs. Davidson doesn't want to spend big bucks and just wants to keep the franchise afloat so she can sell it.

chitownblue2

August 9th, 2010 at 5:47 PM ^

I'm just going to say:

McGrady is one of the worst players in the NBA, and has been the last two partial years he's played (before the surgery and after). He hasn't shot over 42% in years, and not over 39% in 3. He no longer passes or rebounds. He can't guard anybody on his knee. He's took 1 shot every 70 seconds he was on the floor last year.

In other words, he is now a terrible player that actually probably does more active harm than good.

Flying Dutchman

August 9th, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^

He's not that old yet.   This is probably well worth that veteran's minimum.

McGrady can fill it up with anybody in the league when he's healthy.  I realize that's a big If. But for the veteran's minimum, its worth a shot.   The Pistons need help now.

Kal

August 9th, 2010 at 6:00 PM ^

I'm content with Stuckey playing point, his passing game has improved and his abilitiy to get to the basket is stellar. If he develops a little more range to his shot, he'll be the best player on the team hands down (if he isn't already due to the age of our veterans). I still think we need an athletic power forward with shooting range to compliment Greg Monroe, because I don't think he is going to be a very huge offensive presence. Hopefully Big Ben teaches him how to average 10+ boards a game, because Wallace sure doesn't have the legs for it anymore.

neoavatara

August 9th, 2010 at 6:14 PM ^

He has made a lot of big mistakes.  But his gambles on injured players like McDyess worked out.  I doubt this will pay off, but is worth the small gamble. 

Tater

August 9th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^

I'm afraid that T-Mac has just enough left to help "elevate" a healthy Pistons team out of the draft lotterty, but not enough to keep them from a first round exit in the playoffs.   That would pretty much be the worst of both worlds.  I have no faith in anyone on the team right now, and would prefer to see them get a lot of ping pong balls next year.  

Becuase Detroit doesn't seem to be much of a destination for FA's, Joe is forced to build the "old fashioned way:" through the draft, player development, and astute trades with the occasional signing of an underrated FA.  That is how he built the team that played so well in the aughts.

Sadly, I don't see a true core to build around this time, and it looks like he is going to have to start over.  It's nice that he was loyal to vets of the championship team, but he, the Pistons, and fans are paying for it now.  If the Pistons get another "go-round" as a championship team, I have a feeling that he won't get stuck with an aging core again. 

For now, however, it is looking like another "lean" year or two. 

Kal

August 9th, 2010 at 6:55 PM ^

Between Miami, Boston, Orlando, and Chicago no one in the 5-8 seeds in the East is going to advance. Boston is the most upset prone of those 4 because of injuries and age, but everything will be about rebuilding for at least 2-3 years with the way the conference is currently stacked.

Steve Lorenz

August 9th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^

Maybe Chicago should win a playoff series before you put them in a category with those three teams. 

EDIT: How much better is Chicago than Atlanta even after the Boozer addition? He'll get hurt too like he usually does. 

jmblue

August 9th, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^

On a similar note, the NBA may want to expand the playoffs to like 20 or 24 teams (with some teams getting a bye), if only because the lottery has become too big.  Originally, missing the playoffs meant a top-seven pick.  Now it only guarantees you top-14.  That second half of the lottery can be a black hole where franchises are stuck drafting guys who can't help them enough to get out.   Maybe they should get a playoff shot.  It would at least give them more meaningful games at the end of the season.