What is really going on with the Pistons and this Chauncey Billups Contract?

As reported by Natalie over at Need-4-Sheed, it appeared that Chauncey Billups was going to re-sign with the Pistons. This source came long before the Free Press or ESPN.com picked up any word of it and much thanks to Natalie for being on top of things, as usual. In any event, Camp Billups and his agent have since countered the story as it leaked into the mainstream by not only denying it, but also calling it a viscous rumor.

And it’s caused quite a stir amongst the natives. To be honest, I think it’s all going to end up being for nothing. I just don’t see Billups leaving town. I mean, who is really left with the cap space and the urgency/need? Probably only the Milwaukee Bucks, but are they willing to trump a $60 million dollar offer? They have their own backs pressed right now with the whole Yi issue?

We thought this was suppossed to be an eventful summer for the Detroit Pistons. Yet, are there changes really coming down the pipe? I think not. Personally, I would’ve loved to see the Pistons enter the Kobe sweepstakes, but that just isn’t going to happen. Now, we are left with speculation and wondering about the immediate present and near future of this organization.

As usual, Rupes and I got to chatting back and forth via email this past week or so about this very topic and the prognosis of the Pistons future. It all started out with our separate views on the draft. And it’s led us to continue talking about the maddening state of affairs for our beloved team. Will we ever stop dwelling on them…probably not.

Rupes: Presumably, it's just deepening the bench and building for the future, but I'm a little worried about the Pistons drafting two guards in the first round. Do you think it speaks anything about Chauncey's future?

Me: No, not at all. I think it speaks more to how the Pistons are no doubt going to stand pat with their team, barring a few minor tweaks like maybe moving Mohammad or Flip Murray (like anybody actually wants them) and Hunter probably retiring.

To me, Billups is a lock to comeback, but that also means so is everybody else. I personally hated the Pistons draft. They should've traded up for a guy like Brandan Wright once they saw him slipping. Even Noah would've done it for me...now Noah is on our division rival...the Bulls. With this draft the Pistons needed to a number of things...two shooting/combo guards wasn't the answer.

I thought they needed to try and draft a legit Point Guard to back-up Billups and be the future...Javaris Crittenon seemed logical at #15. To top it all off, when they had the choice at #15, Nick Young was still on the table and seemed to be the best option. No offense to Rodney Stuckey, but I think Young has more UPSIDE.

As for the Affalo pick, he's a winner and a nice guy. He will contribute, but never be a star. Understandable, considering every team needs these solid character guys that play tough every night. Yet, this seemed like a typical Dumars pick. He probably sees a lot of himself in Affalo. I do think Affalo will do well in Detroit, but I’d have rather seen them package this pick to move up in the Draft.

In my opinion, what this draft signified was that they aren't breaking up the core. They can't move Rasheed, because they will have no size up-front if they do. They aren't going after Kobe, they aren’t trading Rip, and they are sticking with what they have…bottom line. And it also probably means getting older by bringing in Grant Hill. GASP - this team is dying...slowly.

(UPDATE: Grant Hill just signed with the Suns, so we can scratch that rumor).

Rupes: I think you totally disagree with me on this one, but I would have loved to see a push for Marion. He fits the Piston's philosophy of unselfish role players perfectly. Plus, taking Rasheed's spot on the defensive end and teaming up with Tayshaun would provide a stifling defense. What's up now? I heard rumors that it was Sheed and Amir for Marion, which sounds like about 40 cents on the dollar for Marion, but the late first round pick and Sheed might have been a conceivable trade for the Suns. That way the Suns get a little cheaper power forward and another draft pick to sell.

Me: Yeah, Marion is a nice player. However, the problem with trading Sheed is pretty simple…they don’t have anybody to replace him. As is right now, McDyess is coming back, but without Sheed we’d have to rely on him as a starter or even worse we’d have to play Mohammad. I don’t anticipate them re-signing Webber, so we are pretty much stuck with Sheed (which of course, I don’t see as a bad thing).

A lot of talk on Marion is that maybe he is a product of Steve Nash. Yes, I do understand he put up pretty impressive numbers before Nash arrived, but would he be as spectacular in the half-court slow it down Eastern Conference?

Rupes: There's been a lot of talk about the fake Chauncey contract, did you hear about that?

Me: I think his agent is lying. I think the deal is all, but done. I bet the two camps are just hammering out the final details and his agent just doesn't want to deter any last ditch attempts at bigger money...which isn't coming. So basically, he's like "no we don't have a deal" in hopes that the Bucks (about the only team left w/money) panics and opts to throw a bigger contract his way. It's just a tactical ploy to get more money.

And why not? On the heels of this Rashard Lewis deal, Camp Billups has to feel as if they deserve more.

Rupes: That's an interesting conspiracy theory. He did sensationalize it a lot. On ESPN.com it was addressed as a "Viscous Rumor." I'm not really sure what is viscous about that; they reported it for 60 million over 5 years or something totally in line with expectations.

Me: I couldn’t agree with you more. Really, huh? An annual salary roughly equal to $12 million per year (when all is said and done) is a huge sleight aimed at Billups, right? How insulting for the Pistons to offer him max money? This is totally just a front by Andy Miller (Billups Agent) in an effort to maybe, just maybe, spark a shred of curiosity from any other possible suitors outside of the Bucks and Pistons.

Rupes: So where does this team go now…direction wise?

Me: I think they are on their last leg. The East is weak for now, but the same cast can’t just keep sputtering along and hope to make it back the Conference Finals year in and year out. The Bulls will be better, Orlando is upgrading with Rashard Lewis, LeBron will only get better, Wade will be healthy again and let’s face it…this team is aging.

I think Dumars could be watching the slippage of this organization and not even realize it. We all knew it was going to be a bizarre off-season with many questions to be answered about the future. However, in my opinion it looks as though Dumars is trying to avoid these questions and issues as best he can.

I know it’s still early, so we will see how it all goes down. I know one thing, I’ll be curious to see the final product. Stick around, because things could get interesting, very interesting, if my premonition on the Chauncey deal is totally false. Then…and only then…will we be embarking down an uncharted and very bleak path ahead.