Mo Cheeks wants Greg Monroe to improve his mid-range J

[insidehoops]

[ZMonkey11]

He's definitely working that mid-ranger vs LMA and RLopez right now. Looking pretty sweet and effective.

[Aussie Dunker]

Is it just me, but everyone is saying Monroe is the odd man out, the guy that doesn't fit into our plans - but I think you would have to be blind to not realize that it is SMITH that does not fit into our system...

Monroe is Detroit Basketball, he is our best player, it is outragous that he will likely be the first guy moved...

Or am I blind?

[ZMonkey11]

Is it just me, but everyone is saying Monroe is the odd man out, the guy that doesn't fit into our plans - but I think you would have to be blind to not realize that it is SMITH that does not fit into our system...

Monroe is Detroit Basketball, he is our best player, it is outragous that he will likely be the first guy moved...

Or am I blind?

I agree. As much excitement as Josh Smith brings to Detroit, I hate to revert to my gut instincts when the Pistons got him. We should have went after Andre Iguodala. A guy that doesn't need the ball, willing to hang out, work hard, and bust that open shot or drive when needed.

BUT, the season is still early and I'm still hoping the Pistons make me eat my words. There is NO WAY the Pistons don't make an offer to Monroe at this point. He is our rock.

And we have lots of pieces for trade bait so something can happen. February is still a far ways away.

[Aussie Dunker]

In reality, how hard would it be to move Smith?

[ZMonkey11]

In reality, how hard would it be to move Smith?

From my humble perspective, I don't see many teams wanting Josh Smith. His contract isn't HORRIBLE, but any team that could use a hyper active big right now are in the tank sweepstakes.

Only team I could see making a move with the Pistons for something we want is Evan Turners (Philly) or Arron Afflalo (Orlando).

Besides those two teams...I don't know man.

Hopefully Dumars can work his magic and make some moves.

[dd24]

I agree with the above statements that Greg Monroe is our best player. He has been for years now. People put him in trade rumors because he is our BEST asset. That doesn't mean Joe D is going to trade him. I think it's much more likely that Jennings or Smith get traded. How that happens, I'm not sure. I said all along I wanted a high draft pick this year. Now that college basketball has started it looks like I'm right in saying that would've helped the team more. Sure we have an interesting team this year, but it does look like it will be just a mediocre team. It's early and they haven't had time to develop chemistry yet, but I don't think this team can contend.

[ZMonkey11]

I agree with the above statements that Greg Monroe is our best player. He has been for years now. People put him in trade rumors because he is our BEST asset. That doesn't mean Joe D is going to trade him. I think it's much more likely that Jennings or Smith get traded. How that happens, I'm not sure. I said all along I wanted a high draft pick this year. Now that college basketball has started it looks like I'm right in saying that would've helped the team more. Sure we have an interesting team this year, but it does look like it will be just a mediocre team. It's early and they haven't had time to develop chemistry yet, but I don't think this team can contend.

I'l agree with most of the above here.

Quick question for you. When you say "best" asset, are you saying best trade asset or best asset for the team to be better?

I would agree with the later, but if its the former, I still think its Drummond. Teams would be falling all over themselves to get that kid. And even Dumars has said Drummond is untouchable.

[dd24]

I'l agree with most of the above here.

Quick question for you. When you say "best" asset, are you saying best trade asset or best asset for the team to be better?

I would agree with the later, but if its the former, I still think its Drummond. Teams would be falling all over themselves to get that kid. And even Dumars has said Drummond is untouchable.

I mean right now he's the best player on the team. I definitely agree that most every team would love to have Drummond, especially since he's still on a cap friendly rookie contract. I just think that right now Monroe is more polished offensively and he will probably always be the better shooter. Drummond is the better defensive presence, although Detroit's defense has been terrible so far this season so I would say he still has a lot to learn there.

[Nastradamus]

I wonder what we could get for Monroe. I wish we could talk Smith into coming off the bench with all 96 big man minutes going to the big 3.

[ZMonkey11]

I wonder what we could get for Monroe. I wish we could talk Smith into coming off the bench with all 96 big man minutes going to the big 3.

That would be most excellent. Don't know if the highest paid big man's ego could take that though.

I'm sure we could get a bucket load for Greg Monroe. What he's showed this season so far...I'd say he is nearing top 5 PF status. He's right on the cusp. But I want him and Drummond to stay paired together. Those are two BIG bodies dominating those boards.

[dd24]

That would be most excellent. Don't know if the highest paid big man's ego could take that though.

I'm sure we could get a bucket load for Greg Monroe. What he's showed this season so far...I'd say he is nearing top 5 PF status. He's right on the cusp. But I want him and Drummond to stay paired together. Those are two BIG bodies dominating those boards.

I agree absolutely. I think Drummond and Monroe are the core of the Pistons and are definitely their future. What we really needed was one more top pick to help us out this year..... unfortunately our pick is only top 8 protected and I don't see us finishing there. Although we do have the league's 5th worst record right now and the mock drafts have us getting Dante Exum. I would be so happy if that happened. Could you guys imagine how dominate we would be if we could draft a PG like that? He's 6'6" and better than MCW. That would also put us in the running for a guy like Marcus Smart too. Then we could package Jennings and Smith to a team for a real SF. That would be a contender, not a pretender like we have this year.

[Nastradamus]

Its a little too early to give up on this group. I think that's key to point out. Its going to take time for a bunch of new pieces to grow together, especially since KCP is still a rookie and Drummond is a 2nd year 19 year old. You have to manage the egos of vets like Billups,Bynum,Stuckey and even Smith/Jennings to some degree while making sure you give your youngsters enough minutes, specifically KCP and Datome(to a lesser degree,Singler and maybe Mitchell)

[dd24]

I haven't given up, but even with a year more experience this core isn't going to be a title contender. This is a mediocre team. We all know that's the worst possible place to be in the NBA.

[Nastradamus]

Agree to disagree there. I think we have plenty of potential to develop into a contender.

[dd24]

Agree to disagree there. I think we have plenty of potential to develop into a contender.

How do you figure? The front line is good enough to make the playoffs, but to be a contender you need a playmaker. The Pistons don't have one. Once Dec. 15th comes around things will be interesting. That's the date where you can make trades with guys that you signed as free agents. That means we could trade Smith and/or Jennings. I think we really need to see if Boston is willing to give up Rondo or not.

[Aussie Dunker]

How do you figure? The front line is good enough to make the playoffs, but to be a contender you need a playmaker. The Pistons don't have one. Once Dec. 15th comes around things will be interesting. That's the date where you can make trades with guys that you signed as free agents. That means we could trade Smith and/or Jennings. I think we really need to see if Boston is willing to give up Rondo or not.

Smith + Jennings

for

Rondo + Green

Drummond
Monroe
Green
KCP
Rondo

BAM! ha,

Will never, ever happen... Smith and Rondo want to play together

Smith + Stuckey

for

Green + Sullinger + 1st rounder

[Nastradamus]

If we do decide to blow things up, there are some interesting packages we could look at. Bill Simmons suggested a Gordon,Andersen and WIthey for Charlie,ROdne y and Monroe deal. Boston is an obvious fit. Even if they don't include Rondo I'd be interested in Green,Lee,Olynyk and Sullinger. Barnes/Thompson and Lee?

Something like STuckey for Marcus Thornton would be interesting too. They don't really have a guy like Stuckey in Sacto and he'd be a good fit as their 3rd guard. This way they get Thornton out of Mclemore's way.

Even something with Boston like Stuckey and Jerebko(13 mil) for Lee,Bass and Brooks would be pretty solid. Cleans up their cap a bit. They can have Siva if they want lol.

[dd24]

I like trading Smith & Jennings. I'm fine with that. I don't like including Monroe in any of those other rumored deals. Monroe is the best player in all of those other rumors. Why give up the best player in a deal? Also trading big for small almost never works out.

I want nothing to do with Gordon & Anderson. I like watching them because they are pretty good, but they'll never lead teams to a championship. They'll always be the guys on decent teams.

I'm certain that Golden State won't give up Lee, Thompson and Barnes. Thompson is playing lights out this year. I don't see why they would ever trade him. In the scenario where it's just Barnes, I don't know why Pistons fans would even consider wanting that. It makes no sense because Monroe is a million times better than Barnes. I like Barnes but I have my doubts that he'll ever be an all-star. People do realize that he's not even a starter, right? I'd trade for him if it's a less talented player involved in the deal.

If we're going to put Greg Monroe in trade rumors we need to not set our goals so low. He's one of the best young big men in the game. It would have to be a blockbuster trade for an all-star. Even Rondo I'd much rather do Smith & Jennings for. Our front line of Monroe and Drummond is the core of this team. It's crazy that fans want to break that up so much. Think bigger everybody.

[ZMonkey11]

For me, I see two glaring problems with this team and one of them will be fixed with experience.

1) Brandon Jennings. He has shown glimpses of being the distributing point guard last game, handing off 14 dimes! But he really started distributing when he was at I think 4 pts and shooting 20% from the field. This has actually been a reoccuring theme. I saw it in the Sacramento game when he was shooting very poorly and started deferring. His assist numbers shot up. The team started firing up and gaining momentum.

If he could start off with that mentality from the start, I think we are fine at PG. His defense is still lacking, though. And that leads me into the next point...

2) Defense. Namely, our 3-pt defense. After a pick-and-roll, we start switching off, and when the ball begins to rotate through, we get LOST. There have been SOOOO MMAAANNNYYY OOOPPPEEENNN 3s the opponents have shot. And if not the 3, a rotation to a 3 pt shooter, then to a cutter. (Golden State game) The Lakers game last night was a prime example. We are going hoop for hoop with them, but the difference was we were hitting 2s, they were hitting 3s. Soon, an 8 pt deficit became a 19 pt deficit.

With this, we need to start teaching better perimeter D and communication. I don't know how much you can teach Jennings, he's Swiss cheese out there. But more effective communication has to be key. Good teams, you can hear the players shouting at each other on TV to move and rotate. I don't hear anything from the Pistons and only see mad glares afterwards.

[dd24]

I agree about the defense. It really seems like things are backwards this season, doesn't it? Before the season we thought we'd have a great defensive team that would have a hard time scoring the ball. What we ended up with is a good offensive team that can't play defense. I don't think Chauncey will be able to guard SG's on the perimeter this season. Stuckey is undersized for SG. I've said that for a while. KCP could be a good defender eventually. Jennings hasn't ever played great D so I don't expect that to happen either. I think we need to see a little more KCP in the lineup.

[Nastradamus]

I like trading Smith & Jennings. I'm fine with that. I don't like including Monroe in any of those other rumored deals. Monroe is the best player in all of those other rumors. Why give up the best player in a deal? Also trading big for small almost never works out.

I want nothing to do with Gordon & Anderson. I like watching them because they are pretty good, but they'll never lead teams to a championship. They'll always be the guys on decent teams.

I'm certain that Golden State won't give up Lee, Thompson and Barnes. Thompson is playing lights out this year. I don't see why they would ever trade him. In the scenario where it's just Barnes, I don't know why Pistons fans would even consider wanting that. It makes no sense because Monroe is a million times better than Barnes. I like Barnes but I have my doubts that he'll ever be an all-star. People do realize that he's not even a starter, right? I'd trade for him if it's a less talented player involved in the deal.

If we're going to put Greg Monroe in trade rumors we need to not set our goals so low. He's one of the best young big men in the game. It would have to be a blockbuster trade for an all-star. Even Rondo I'd much rather do Smith & Jennings for. Our front line of Monroe and Drummond is the core of this team. It's crazy that fans want to break that up so much. Think bigger everybody.

I meant Thompson or Barnes fwiw. They still might not do it, but they do have a lot of wings and Thompson is going to want a lot of money.

You aren't going to trade big name FAs you just signed. The earliest we would trade them, IMHO, is the Feb. 2015 trade deadline.

[dd24]

I meant Thompson or Barnes fwiw. They still might not do it, but they do have a lot of wings and Thompson is going to want a lot of money.

You aren't going to trade big name FAs you just signed. The earliest we would trade them, IMHO, is the Feb. 2015 trade deadline.

I guarantee if Rondo became available we'd move Jennings in a heart beat for him.

[Nastradamus]

Maybe in the offseason if he shows he's healthy down the stretch this year. What's the fastest a FA of that caliber was ever traded i wonder?

[dd24]

I don't think anything will happen until right before the deadline (if it does). I do think the rumors start flying on the 15th though. I think there has been guys traded just after that date, although no names come to mind.