Are the Pistons Pursuing Baron Davis?

When Joe Dumars put his entire roster on the block, he opened the door for a summer of crazy rumors. First came the Carmelo Anthony rumors, which became so rampant that 'Melo demanded an explanation from Denver's front office. Today's speculation du jour? Baron Davis to Detroit.

Geoff Lepper of the Contra Costa Times got the ball rollling by citing an unnamed source within the Warriors who indicates that the Pistons "are now looking at Davis" and would be willing to offer Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace in return. In order to get the money right, Lepper speculates that Al Harrington, who's already thinking about requesting a trade, would be thrown into the mix.

As Tim Kawakami correctly notes, the Pistons would be getting the short end of the talent stick in a Davis/Harrington for Chauncey/Rasheed swap. Could the Warriors sweeten the pot by throwing in the 14th overall pick? Well, possibly, but this deal can't happen on draft day (read: tomorrow!) since Davis has until July 9 to decide if he's going to opt out of the final year of his contract. So unless the Warriors happen to pick someone the Pistons really like, that's a dead end, too.

In other words, there are simply too many moving parts in this deal to think everything could line up perfectly. Chris McCosky of the Detroit News called this rumor "a total fabrication." I won't go quite that far -- Lepper's source isn't just making things up for fun, right? -- but it's possible Detroit's interest has been exagerrated or distorted, much like their alleged "pursuit" of Anthony.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-25-2008 @ 7:37PM

Brandon Hoffman said...

Matt,

"As Tim Kawakami correctly notes, the Pistons would be getting the short end of the talent stick in a Davis/Harrington for Chauncey/Rasheed swap."

How do you figure?

Chauncey Billups (31) is three years older than Baron Davis. Rasheed Wallace (33) is six years older than Al Harrington.

Billups’ 2007-2008 stats: 17 pts, 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 45% from the field.
Davis’ 2007-2008 stats: 22 pts, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 43% from the field.

Harrington’s 2007-2008 stats: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 43% from the field.
Rasheed’s 2007-2008 stats: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 43% from the field.

Baron Davis is clearly better than Billups and he's three years younger. Rasheed is infinitely more talented than Harrington but their production is pretty much a wash.

You don't trade youth for experience unless you can get substantially better or compete for an NBA championship. I don't see the Warriors improving enough to pull the trigger on this one.

6-25-2008 @ 8:43PM

Dave Dial said...

Matt, you can look at those numbers 'till the sky turns blue, but they don't mean all that much as to who is better or not.

Defense wins in the playoffs. If you are looking for a nice dunk every now and then, and are happy with the lottery or an early exit in the playoffs, then you're right.

If you like winning and need vets, leadership and defense, then you're way off.

It's a bad trade for Detroit, especially if pick #14 is not included.

6-25-2008 @ 8:45PM

Sorry, that comment was for Brandon Hoffman, not Matt.

6-25-2008 @ 9:17PM

Dave Dial,

With all due respect, I don't need numbers to tell me that Baron Davis is better than Chauncey Billups. I know he is.

I do agree that Rasheed is better than Harrington but he doesn't produce consistently.

You said, "If you like winning and need vets, leadership and defense, then you're way off."

I won't argue that BD and Al are better defenders than Billups and Wallace but two players don't make a team defense. Especially when that defense is being coached by Don Nelson.

Billups and Wallace don't fit his style of play...on both ends.