Commentary

NBA Offseason Buzz: Detroit Pistons

Rip Hamilton's declining play could lead him out of the Motor City

Originally Published: September 16, 2009
By John Hollinger and Ric Bucher | ESPN Insider

Want to know who's heating up for a big season on the hardwood? Insider is tapping into John Hollinger's projected player efficiency ratings to see who's trending up and down across the NBA. Ric Bucher rounds out the report by examining a pivotal player you'll want to watch as the season approaches. The series continues with the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit's youth movement is now in full swing with Rasheed Wallace and Allen Iverson being shown the door and the signing of free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. The main question raised by the signing of Gordon is this: How do the Pistons get their money's worth with a backcourt that already has Rodney Stuckey and Rip Hamilton? Answer: Just because the youth movement is well underway, that doesn't mean it is complete. Don't be surprised to hear both Hamilton's and Prince's names in trade conversations in the next year, depending on how quickly rookie Austin Daye (Prince's protégé) develops.

To see which player is taking off, which is crashing to earth and which name you'll need to know for the 2009-10 season, you must be an ESPN Insider.


To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Ric Bucher

NBA Reporter, ESPN The Magazine Senior Writer
  • Senior writer for ESPN The Magazine
  • Co-authored "Yao: A Life in Two Worlds"
  • Full-time beat writer/NBA analyst since 1992

SPONSORED HEADLINES

MORE NBA HEADLINES

MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM