Since the Carmelo rumor’s legs didn’t strengthen we’ve got a new and more interesting deal, in my opinion, to mull over today. Check out the noise coming out of Bay Area this morning:

Joe Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, gave notice after losing the Eastern Conference finals that no one on his veteran-laden team would be safe, and the source said Detroit is willing to divest itself of longtime stars Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups.

Wallace, like Davis an unrestricted free agent after ‘08-09, would give the Warriors their best true power forward since Chris Webber’s first stint in 1993-94 and has 3-point range that coach Don Nelson would love.

[…]

Since Wallace and Billups will combine to take home nearly $25 million in 2008-09, the Warriors would need to add more salary ballast to Davis in order to make the salary-cap numbers work.

One possibility in that role would be forward Al Harrington. A source close to the 10th-year forward said he is currently leaning toward requesting a trade from the Warriors this summer, although he will not make a final decision until after the draft.

I like this deal. If we have to part with guys this deal sounds fun. Baron is very similar to Chauncey in that he’s a big bodied dominant guard. I think Baron is a little better going to the rim than Billups. Chauncey may have the better long range stroke, but Davis is no slouch. Plus, this gives our PG of the future, Rodney Stuckey, one more prime time floor general to learn from.

I like Harrington’s game as well. Like Rasheed he can go inside and outside, although he didn’t get to show to much of his post game under Don Nelson.

Our engine is overdue for an oil change. This deal could help get some of that built up sludge out. I say DO IT JOE!

We we know Dumars at least put a worm on the hook and cast it towards the Nugget’s Carmelo Anthony. Just to recap, Joe Dumars offered up Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince for Carmelo Anthony and Denver (at least for now) is content with keeping their high scoring forward. That much we know.

Even though this deal at this point in time seems to be merely a suggestion I do have some thoughts on it.

On Chauncey: It just seems odd to think that one summer after Mr. Big Shot is made the richest Piston in history that he’s on the trading block.

This implies to me that Joe A) sees Chauncey on the decline. Much like his foresight with Ben Wallace two summers ago. And B) Joe and co. seen enough in Rodney Stuckey to give him Chauncey’s spot if they had to part with Big Shot.

It be tough to see Chauncey go. He’s the present face of the franchise. After bouncing all over the league his tenure in Detroit is all-in-all is a great story and it would be nice to see him finish here, but the bottom line is that as GM Joe’s job is to put trophys in on the mantle.

On Tayshaun: Joe said no one is untouchable, but I just though that was jargon for “it’s time for Rasheed to go”. I guess I never really thought about the possibility on parting with the Palace Prince. Unlike the other four starters Tayshaun was drafted by the Pistons. We watched him progress into the player he is today. He’s the reason we don’t already have Carmelo Anthony.

Tayshaun always has a great attitude, whereas Carmelo’s attitude and character have come into question over the years. It would be a tough contrast to get used to as far as how we view “Pistons” to be character guys.

If you take a spin around the net and hit up all the Pistons hot spots you’ll be able to get your Chauncey Billups hamstring fix. To sum it all up Chauncey’s still sore and isn’t sure about his availability for tomorrows game #4. The man in charge of CB’s hampered hamstring, Arnie Kander, is a bit more optimistic about the situation.

Chauncey seems to be more hesitant to give his status because this is his first hammy tweak so he doesn’t have any reference for recovery time. Either that or it’s a bit of playoff gamesmanship. Pulling Orlando’s leg, so to speak.

Arnie is quick to point out all the bright sides. The injury happened slowly as opposed to say a sprinter getting the same injury at high speed. AK says it’s more of an overstretch than a pull. Another good sign is that Chauncey’s level of discomfort has stayed consistent where it would be more ominous if the pain got worse.

Also since the Pistons had two days between games 3 and 4 there’s more time for Arnie to work his magic mojo:

“MRIs won’t tell you anything,” Kander said.

“You can tell more by your hands and by palpitations. The fibers (in the leg) felt great, they were together. He was walking normally last night and this morning. If he feels as good in the morning as he did last night, that to me is tremendous.”

Kander said he would administer treatments that “Chauncey’s never seen before, a lot of stuff he isn’t even going to be able to spell.”

This isn’t confirmed but I think Kander is going to go a little old school Okinawa on Big Shot. The hands rubbing and warming, the nasty tea, roots, berries, the whole nine. The Cobra Kai Orlando Magic won’t know what hit ‘em.

From Chris McCosky’s blog:

Billups is the 2007-2008 recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Award, the oldest citizenship and community service award given in the NBA. The award is given by the Professional Basketball Writers Association

Hope it’s nothing too serious. Will post updates when they become available.

Pistons guard Chauncey Billups had to fly back to the Detroit area Thursday for a personal matter according to team.
Billups is questionable for Saturday night’s game in Los Angeles against the Clippers.There is no word on whether he intends to fly back today, tomorrow or at all.

If Billups misses the game, Rodney Stuckey would probably start at point guard for the Pistons. (Detroit Free Press)

Just announced on TNT, Chauncey Billups and his backcourt mate Rip Hamilton were named reserves to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the third consecutive year. Rasheed Wallace got his wish and was not selected, in fact no center reserve was selected for the East.



UPDATE: (Via Detroit News)

“I am excited. I’m geeked,” Hamilton said. “It just tells you what kind of success we’ve had as a team. And it’s a great opportunity going with Billups again. I feel like we kind of came in together and we’ve accomplished a lot together. I just feel blessed.”

Billups and Hamilton combined are averaging 36.9 points a game, fourth best among guard combinations in the league.

“I would be surprised if they didn’t make it,” coach Flip Saunders said. “I think they’ve clearly been one of the most productive combos in the league, as far as how they’ve played this year. They’ve both been very consistent and our team continues to be one of the elite teams in the league. I think they should be rewarded for that.”

Also selected as Eastern Conference reserves were Toronto’s Chris Bosh, Washington’s Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, Boston’s Paul Pierce and Atlanta’s Joe Johnson.

On Thursday Chauncey was on Jim Rome’s ESPN show Rome is Burning via satellite. Jim had some pretty good questions for Chauncey and I was kind of surprised with the answer Chauncey gave about how good Rasheed is. Billups said Rasheed could be the league’s best player but gets “bored” when playing against comp he feels are not up to his level.

Check out the full “Alone with Rome” interview.