[Lou Stefanic]

Detroit Pistons re-sign point guard Rodney Stuckey | MLive.com

[The King]

Great timing! I just posted in another thread we need to keep him.

Nice contract. We have him for 3 years and that's a very moveable contract. Smart move by Stuckey's agent. What's he going to be at the end of the deal? 28 or 29? At that age, he will get one more big contract.

I do like in the new CBA that contracts are much shorter. Make the players earn that shit.

[Dave Bing]

7.75 per... I can see it. Just three years. More than I wished but way better than the 45 mil over five...

[Kstat]

IMO, a great deal for both sides.

Stuckey gets paid, and we're not saddled with a long-term commitment.

[The King]

That's the going rate for a guy like Stuckey who could still go up another level. You have to pay slightly more to keep your own guys. Nice contract. I really like the length. See how he gels with the young guys and you have an out after 3 years. Nice move, Dumars. We couldn't afford to let him leave. We need all the young players we can get. He will make Knight's job a lot easier.

[Dave Bing]

Now can I get a capologist to update where we are, cap wise?

[The King]

I wonder if an amnesty will follow, possibly as soon as today. Dumars had some quotes a few days back after the Rip release. He said they released him rather than amnesty him for a reason. When asked to further explain, he said wait and see.

[Kstat]

Originally Posted by Dave Bing

Now can I get a capologist to update where we are, cap wise?

we're around $6-8 million over. It's hard to be exact because Tayshaun's exact contract details haven't been disclosed yet.

[Dave Bing]

So you think that Stuck starts at the two? Starts at the point wtih Gordon?

[Dave Bing]

So ten or more short of the luxury tax. We could sign Humphries for the exception. Then we would at least have an NBA roster. We can't go into the season with Moose, Maxy, Chilla and Cracklin' as our frontcourt.

[The King]

Knight and Stuckey starting. Gordon off the bench. Stuckey the backup PG, with Bynum getting 12 mins per.

[Kstat]

I can't imagine why Knight and Stuckey wouldn't be starting. They're probably our two best defensive guards.

[The King]

Ya, I guess go after Humphries for the MLE. Then after we get him then use the amnesty. I guess we have to hold off on the amnesty in order to use that MLE. If we use the amnesty right now, then we don't get the MLE, correct?

[Dave Bing]

With Knight and Kid Bynumite, I don't see Stuck getting a lot of time at the point.

Hope he's in shape and not too stupid to learn Coach's playbook fast.

By the way, Coach Frank definitely needs a nickname. This whole off season and not one quote about toothpaste or doing stuff.

[The King]

Ya, Gordon would HAVE to come off the bench in that situation. They should play well off each other. Knight is more of a shooter where Stuckey is the slasher. Two good defenders in the backcourt. Let these guys grow together.

[Dave Bing]

If we amnesty and fall below the cap, we don't get the exception. So you are right, sign Humph for the midlevel, then dump one of our slugs.

[The King]

Napolean.

I think we will run a lot next year. Knight, Stuckey and Prince can all get out in transition.

[The King]

Has Humphries even been rumored to go to any teams? I agree he would be ideal. We need guys in the frontcourt. He's a rebounding demon. Would be a nice fit to Monroe. An active/hustle player.

[Kstat]

Originally Posted by Dave Bing

If we amnesty and fall below the cap, we don't get the exception. So you are right, sign Humph for the midlevel, then dump one of our slugs.

The 2011 amnesty deadline has passed. We can't use it until next summer.

money-wise, we don't free up a lot of cap space this year or next year by using the amnesty. I can see us holding on to it until 2013 (the last year of Gordon/CV31's deal), and then trying to make a splash in free agency.

[Dave Bing]

Sounds like that's what the Little General wants.

Frank wants to encourage a fast pace offensively but he's in no way neglecting the defensive end. Forward Austin Daye estimated 85 percent of practice is devoted to the defensive end.
"You can't take the ball out of the basket," Frank said. "I'm not talking about (shooting) six seconds or less, but to get into our sets before the defense gets set."
He didn't want to set any high expectations with the first preseason game, either. He's preached the same tenets since the first day of training camp and won't deviate from those now.
"This is another opportunity, another step in the process," Frank said. "We want to put a new stamp on what Detroit basketball is all about."

[The King]

How about Frank and Beans? He sort of looks a bit like a chode.

[Dave Bing]

Humphries made a huge mistake going on that ass Kardashian show. Everyone thinks that he's a total dick. He's probably no more a dick than anyone else in the NBA but I think that show cost him millions.

[The King]

Cost him millions? Shit, he just divorced the dumb beeyatch. He's going to get PAID. She's friggin loaded. He Ferderlined that hoe.

[Dave Bing]

He's not getting anything out of that two month marriage. Plus, he probably ruined his rep in the L.

[The King]

Rodney Stuckey has agreed to a three-year, $25 million contract with the Pistons.

The departure of Rip Hamilton has cleared out some minutes in Detroit's backcourt, and for now it seems Stuckey will start at SG. Brandon Knight will start at PG, supported by Will Bynum, while Ben Gordon will serve as the team's sixth man. We'll keep a close eye on the playing time split among these guys as the season progresses.

Related: Ben Gordon, Brandon Knight
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter Dec 17 - 11:31 AM

[Kstat]

There are rumors that he's gotten totally out of shape. That's probably hurt him more.

[Kstat]

I have to think Bynum will get frozen out. Stuckey will probably play the point when Knight sits for Gordon.

We don't have enough minutes for all four of them, and Bynum remains a really bad defender.

[The King]

That;s what I think. I think Stuckey gets a lot run at PG. Bynum shouldn't play a lot of mins. He's really not that good.

[Dave Bing]

Bynum's dismal D has to be evident to Coach. Bynum has been a good citizen and has had some highlight moments but he's a total sieve.

[Kstat]

He'd be ok if he had any discipline defensively, but he just doesn't.

[The King]

You can't play Bynum with Gordon. Neither can defend and both are short. You can pair Stuckey with Gordon, their games compliment each other much better.

Stuckey should start at the 2 and get some run at PG.

[Kstat]

Both Knight/Gordon and Knight/Stuckey work, to a degree. It has the making of a very good 3-guard rotation.

[Mel Kiper Jr]

I am hoping that Knight starts also. Losing this year won't be so bad if we have some young talent that improves.

[papalawrence]

Nice contract for both sides. Joe is doing a good job since the lockout ended.

[tin mad dog]

Originally Posted by Dave Bing

Humphries made a huge mistake going on that ass Kardashian show. Everyone thinks that he's a total dick. He's probably no more a dick than anyone else in the NBA but I think that show cost him millions.

Why does everyone think he's a dick, because he went on the show or did he do something on it?

[King Mob]

Similarly, man, Villa really went Shawn Kemp on us.

[tin mad dog]

Regarding Stux, I guess the contract is decent. I'm happy that it's only for 3 years. Let's see if he's a happy camper now.

[Dave Bing]

FWIW, when Bill Simmons did his column on FA destinations for two guards, he predicted Stuck signing for 4/35 and calling it over paying.

[King Mob]

That's about what we paid him. Stuckey will play into this contract though, much like Rip did.

[jbill]

Ok...just a slightly contrarian point to make:

Every move that Joe has made recently can be individually defended. But think about this. Prince, JJ, Daye, Stuck, Gordon, Villanueva, Monroe, Knight are all under contract for AT LEAST 3 MORE YEARS. We have no cap room left this year, none next year, and none the year after that. We are, essentially, locked into these 8 players. The only other two teams that are locked into that many players that far out are Miami and Oklahoma City. I don't know about everyone else, but even the most optimistic outcome I could hope for with these 8 is a first round elimination in the playoffs any time in the next three years.

Like I said, I think each deal can be defended (other than maybe Villanueva...but we have the amnesty to use if we need next year). But it seems like the best teams in the last couple years have given themselves more flexibility. They may commit to a core of 3 or 4...but 8? Sure, Stuckey needed to be signed; you don't want to lose assets for nothing. I get that. But this is our team now, for better or worse. I just hope this group greatly exceeds everyone's expectations

[Hobbs]

Decent deal. Definitely not a killer either way.

3 guard rotation of Stuck, Gordon, and Knight.

Our rotation isn't half bad. Stuck, Gordon, Knight, Tay, Jonas, Monroe, Wallace, Jonas, and Daye. I can live with those guys getting minutes. Villanueva is the weak spot though as he'll still get minutes in place of what should be a defensive stopper. Bynum plays with injuries or scrap time.

[Hobbs]

Originally Posted by jbill

Ok...just a slightly contrarian point to make

This team will not be built through free agency. That doesn't work unless you're a glamour spot. Getting way below the cap with few assets will do nothing for us. Trades, the draft, and smart but cheaper free agent signings are what will do it for us.

We have somewhere between 2-5 young pieces for the future. Depending on your opinion, up to 3 have all-star potential (Moose, Knight, and Stuckey). That's a foundation. We have to hit on our moves from here on out, but we've got a start.

[King Mob]

Originally Posted by jbill

Ok...just a slightly contrarian point to make:

Every move that Joe has made recently can be individually defended. But think about this. Prince, JJ, Daye, Stuck, Gordon, Villanueva, Monroe, Knight are all under contract for AT LEAST 3 MORE YEARS. We have no cap room left this year, none next year, and none the year after that. We are, essentially, locked into these 8 players. The only other two teams that are locked into that many players that far out are Miami and Oklahoma City. I don't know about everyone else, but even the most optimistic outcome I could hope for with these 8 is a first round elimination in the playoffs any time in the next three years.

Like I said, I think each deal can be defended (other than maybe Villanueva...but we have the amnesty to use if we need next year). But it seems like the best teams in the last couple years have given themselves more flexibility. They may commit to a core of 3 or 4...but 8? Sure, Stuckey needed to be signed; you don't want to lose assets for nothing. I get that. But this is our team now, for better or worse. I just hope this group greatly exceeds everyone's expectations

The team isn't locked into anything. At any point during the next 3 years and player can be traded or bought out. Max and Bynum come off the books after next season. Ben will be retiring. If the team really is as bad as you say, then they'll be adding talent via the lottery. They have exceptions at their disposal, and they can amnesty BG next year and knock 11mil off their cap number.

The team has plenty of ways to improve.

[FadedMario]

Hope we plan on playing Stuckey at the 2. Knight was our best player last night. Hope we plan on starting him.

[GC_STONES]

We are in great shape to make a leap into legit playoff team next season.

Let Knight take over the team. Allow Monroe, Jerebko and Daye to build something in the frontcourt--continue to gain momentum and chemistry with Frank, Gores and Dumars along with the players. Then have massive cap space next offseason and a top 10 pick (hope we can get Anthony Davis or Drummond.

[Dave Bing]

Forget Drummond or Davis. We won't be THAT bad. Henson, Plumlee are more likely.

[jbill]

Cap space isn't just about signing big name free agents. It's about having flexibility for trades, including buying 1st rounders that people near the luxury tax can't afford. It's about getting a bargain on a player who, for one reason or another, slipped through the cracks in the market and is a huge value signing. It's about not being so close to the tax line that when they use their exceptions and draft picks, they don't go over it. I'm not saying cap space and flexibility are the goals, but when you give those away for THREE YEARS OUT for a core of guys that isn't a top 4 nucleus in the league, then you may have played your cards wrong.

And of course we can trade guys, amnesty a guy, get lucky in the draft. And I'm excited to see how this team gels with a new coach, a couple young guys, and potentially more depth than a lot of lower half playoff teams (a big advantage in this compressed season). But compared to other teams long term cap situations, our's is not favorable, and we chose that. 3 of the guys (Moose, Daye, and Knight) are still on their rookie deals, but we chose to commit to the other five, CV, Gordon, Prince, JJ, and Stuckey, for that long.

[Hobbs]

JJ and Stuckey were not committed to for too long. CV and Gordon were already signed. That leaves you with Prince. That's arguable.

We still have the amnesty and we have one year at least to find buyers for the other of Gordon or Charlie.

Everything you're going on assumes worst case scenario in that the guys are impossible to trade and suck.

[Kstat]

Originally Posted by Dave Bing

Forget Drummond or Davis. We won't be THAT bad. Henson, Plumlee are more likely.

Generally there is at least one team in the top 3 every year that isn't THAT bad....

The Clipper pick that won last year's lottery had worse odds than ours.

[Kstat]

IMO, we really only need one more good draft pick, and then I think we can start focusing on making playoff runs. This team is not as far behind as some people think.