A Look at the Losers: Detroit Pistons

The Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth consecutive year, but just like last season their mission to advance to the next round was stopped short in six games. Also like a year ago, the team now must quickly divert their attention from the sting of defeat to re-signing one of their key players.

Ben Wallace was considered the prize of the free-agent market last year, and it was a surprise when he signed with the Bulls instead of returning to Detroit. In hindsight, the writing was on the wall, as he correctly deduced that his usefulness to Detroit was waning as the team shifted focus to emphasize offense. For Billups, the situation couldn't be more different: if his struggles against Cleveland proved anything, it's that he's still the most important player on the team.

Joe Dumars has indicated numerous times this season that money won't be an issue when it comes to retaining Billups, and Billups himself assured the media that he hopes to return. Only a small handful of teams can afford to match Detroit's money without going over the salary cap, and all of those teams are losing teams in various stages of re-building (i.e., Memphis, Orlando, Milwaukee). Other teams can attempt to work out a sign-and-trade, but that'd be difficult to orchestrate as Dumars would likely be selective about what salaries he'd be willing to take back in return.

In any case, there are a host of other questions the Pistons must answer heading into the offseason, including the status of their head coach. By most team's standards, Flip Saunders has had a successful first two years on the job, but he's considered a disappointment considering the club he inherited won one title and came within a game of another.

Plus, it's not just that he's lost in the Conference Finals, but how he's lost: both of his postseason runs with Detroit have been marked by extremely inconsistent play, even in those series which the Pistons ended up winning. For an alleged offensive-minded coach, Detroit frequently went without a bucket for several minutes in a row, and his substitution patterns have left many scratching their heads.

That said, owner Bill Davidson probably isn't all that enthused about paying yet another coach not to do his job: both Rick Carlisle and Larry Brown were each let go after just two seasons on the job. Somewhat ironically, both of those coaches are available to work right now, although they likely burned too many bridges to ever return to the Motor City.

Will the Pistons hold onto Rasheed Wallace? They'll probably have to, at least considering how much money he's due over the final two years of his contract. Although he's temperamental (to say the least -- his ejection from Game 6 was inexcusable), he's also the team's most effective post defender, and considering the uncertainty at the center position (will Chris Webber return? Will Nazr Mohammed actually return to the starting lineup next year?), it'd behoove the Pistons to hold onto Wallace for at least one more year.

Even though this team's core isn't getting any younger, next year's rotation should be. Out will be Dale Davis (a free agent expected to retire) and maybe even Lindsey Hunter (who has a year left on his contract but has a standing offer to join the front office) and Flip Murray (who may opt-out of his final year to pursue a longer deal). Antonio McDyess also has the ability to opt-out of his final year -- it probably wouldn't make financial sense, but you never know if he'll jump ship to another contender given how desperately he wants to win a title.

Jason Maxiell and Carlos Delfino, both 24 years old, should play more next year, and 20-year-old Amir Johnson should join the back of the rotation. Also, don't forget about restricted free agent Alex Acker, a 24-year-old combo guard who's still property of Detroit but spent last year in Greece as one of Europe's top players. Toss in the fact Detroit has two first-round picks -- one of which they'll almost certainly use on a point guard -- and the Pistons should be a lot younger than most people realize next season.

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