The Pistons are aging a bit.. I think they're gonna make a push to win it this year. They're playing their starters--esp. backcourt--a lot. I expect them to acquire someone to backup Rip better than what they have right now. However, I don't think Wesley or anyone outside the 3 we don't want to trade will be enough to get Darko, since most other teams that would be willing could offer more
i'm not sure about us acquiring darko because i've never seen him play, and neither have anyone except the pistons organization. simply put, there is a reason that he hasn't played. he isn't good enough. the longer they don't play him the more trade value they can get for him because no one else has seen that he can't play. but at the same point in time, you would think nba gm's would see this. this is why i wouldn't give up a lot to get him. maybe a role player and a 2nd round pick. that's it. no way do you give up a first rounder or even a quality starter for him.
But didn't McGrady do the same thing? It's not like Darko HAS to re-sign with Detroit when his contract expires. After all, how can the kid have fond memories of the place? And, don't forget, this IS *Detroit* we're talking about, which is probably America's #1 Place to be FROM. He could simply have his agent say he will not re-sign with Detroit, and make it clear that he would not sign an extension with any other team which he would be traded to other than the one he actually wants to play for. We got TMac because he wanted to come here, not because we made Orlando the best offer. Same thing could apply here.
He probably won't re-sign with Detroit. But he will be a restricted FA, which means that the Pistons can always match it, so they have pretty much all of the leverage. Dumars isn't just going to let this kid walk for nothing, he's a #2 pick and the Pistons need to have something to show for that draft. I'm sure when Darko's contract comes up, they'll work out a sign and trade just like Kwame Brown. Or work out a trade before then that'll entice the Pistons. Either way, Detroit isn't going to let him go for chump change, which was the original idea from this thread.
