2011-2012 Finish: 21-45

Season Highlight

The highlights for the Pistons are pretty small, but there had to be some, even with a dismal season. How about acquiring Rudy Gay, a cornerstone to rebuild on for the future? Or the great pickups in future pieces. Detroit acquired 4 picks for this year’s draft, have a ton of cap room, and have even more players coming from overseas! From a rebuilding standpoint, this season had to be a success, especially the getting rid of Zach Randolph’s huge contract for younger players. Detroit was great in this department.

Season Lowlight

Well, with the few highlights had to come the lowlights. With Aaron Brooks and Wilson Chandler trapped overseas in China, the Pistons were utter garbage. With multiple losing streaks of 5+ games, including a season high of 9, the Pistons were looking at Lottoville, which they had been for the past 2 years. Royal had a big task ahead of him, when Dert left the Pistons for the Clippers. He took the opportunity to rebuild, however... not playing Rudy Gay is an absolute crime, even if it is to tank. Play him 5 minutes, you can’t not let Rudy Gay stay on the bench in street clothes.

Best Trade

Acquiring Rudy Gay for Aaron Brooks, Wilson Chandler, and Josh McRoberts
Can we say highway robbery on this one? When this trade was made, we all knew who got the best part of the deal. With the adding of Rudy Gay, Royal finally had something that is key for a rebuilding team; a cornerstone.

Worst Trade

Trading Norris Cole for Cory Joseph, Cleveland’s First Rounder (Miles Plumlee) and Golden State’s Second Rounder (Doron Lamb).
A lot of people were not big fans of this deal for Detroit, and looks like now the price is going to be paid for giving up a young point guard like Cole, who had been doing great in Detroit, averaging 14 points and 7 assists per game as a Rookie. With John Lucas leaving, and Detroit not being a place to attract big free agents, Royal must make a move to get a starting caliber PG. Plus, Plumlee adds to an already packed frontcourt, which causes even MORE of a logjam there.

Other Notable Trades

The Trades for Jonas Valančiūnas and Donatas Motiejūnas
Royal also acquired the two best European Bigs in the 2011 draft, with Jonas V and Donatas. For Jonas V, it was apart of a bigger deal for Anthony Randolph and Javale McGee, who headed to Golden State. For Donatas, he sent a first rounder to the Raptors (Cleveland). That pick came back to Royal in the Cole deal however. These were good trades for two big European Bigs.

Best FA Signing

The Pistons did not sign a Free Agent of note.

Worst FA Signing

The Pistons did not sign a Free Agent of note.

Star

Rudy Gay- F- Possibly one of the only bright spots on this Detroit team. Gay lead this Pistons team, being the scorer that was needed in Mo-Town, averaging 22 points per game in the 17 games which he started. His PPG probably went down because of Detroit’s tanking efforts to get the best pick possible, but Rudy Gay looks like a big bright spot for Detroit next year.

Surprise

Arron Afflalo- G Acquired in the deal with Tony Parker and Mike Conley, Arron Afflalo was a key part to this Detroit team, being the other man the bear the scoring load. He averaged 16 points per game, and was a key player to knock down clutch 3’s and spread the floor. Look to him to be the key guy other than Rudy Gay to help this team become a playoff contender..

Goat

Marcus Camby- C- This is absolutely not the year of the center, and Marcus Camby certainly kept up with the trend. Sure Camby is an older player, and was basically brought in to relieve the contract of Hedo Turkoglu, but 6 points and 7 boards for a starting center will not cut it, especially when this team was the worst team in rebounding, only grabbing 31 boards per game. The truth is, Detroit didn’t have another rebounder besides Camby and Brandon Wright, and with Camby having this bad season may hurt his FA value as he looks to be picked up by a team.

Draft Report Card

Thomas Robinson (#3) Tony Wroten Jr (#23) Miles Plumlee (#30) Doron Lamb (#31) Donatas Montiejunas (2011) Jonas Valanciunas (2011) Kyle Singler (2011)
These are all the players coming to the team for the Pistons, which is why I also included the 3 2011 picks that were overseas. Thomas Robinson was a great pick at #3... it’s just that you have Montiejunas and Valanciunas coming over at the same time, causing a logjam at the 4 and 5 spot. Yes you can have Montiejunas or Valanciunas starting at the 5, but at the 4 you have Wright and Robinson I assume, or you could have one of the European players start, or Robinson could start, or you could trade.... too many options right there. With Singler coming over, you have a quality backup for Rudy Gay, who is now NBA ready after a stint in Europe, leading Real Madrid to beat Barcelona in the big Copa del Rey de Baloncest . Tony Wroten Jr is the project of the group, who could be a combo guard. He looks to be in the D-League for some time though. Again Miles Plumlee... adds to the logjam at Power Forward. Doron Lamb looks to be a solid pickup, and can produce for sure. Detroit filled up on positions, but missed out on a point guard, which is key for a team.

Looking to the Future

The future is bright for the Pistons. With all the international players coming over and the rooks from this year draft, Detroit is stock loaded on young players and have a cornerstone to build on with Rudy Gay. This team is very young and has a ton of potential, especially with the duo of Montiejunas and Valanciunas. Look for these Pistons to be relevant real soon with this young core.

Upcoming Free Agents

The Pistons have Alan Anderson and Brandon Rush as Restricted Free Agents, meaning they probably want the two back. However, veteran Marcus Camby looks to be looking for a new home along with John Lucas, and Mike James. Boris Diaw hopes the Pistons want to resign him, as he wants to resign with them. Last but not least Luke Walton... no one knows his case... but he will most likely leave the Pistons... you don’t spend 6 million on a bench warmer.