http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060217/SPORTS03/602170406/1048/rss03 Pistons may deal Cato for a guard Dumars: Darko's agent wanted trade February 17, 2006 Kelvin Cato Kelvin Cato, an injured forward acquired in the Darko Milicic deal, won't be waived immediately by the Pistons, though he might be used as trade bait. Cato, limited to 23 games this season because of a cracked bone in his right foot, is expected to report to the team Monday, when the Pistons will give him a medical evaluation. The Pistons acquired Cato, 31, and Orlando's first-round draft pick in 2007 or '08 for Milicic and backup point guard Carlos Arroyo. Cato could remain with the team awhile, or the Pistons might use him and his expiring $8.6-million contract to get another point guard before the NBA's trade deadline, which is Thursday. Joe Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations, said Thursday that it wouldn't make or break the season if they don't acquire another backup for point guard Chauncey Billups. "Who are we going to get that, if something does happen to Chauncey, is going to lead us to a championship?" Dumars said in a news conference. "You're up the creek without a paddle anyway." If the Pistons don't make another trade, they still would have veteran Lindsey Hunter and rookie Alex Acker as backup point guards. And Cato's contract gives them some salary cap flexibility. But Dumars said the Milicic trade was not a salary cap move.
Pistons need a backup point guard and the Magic need a backup center for Darko. Cato, $3 million cash money, and filler for Francis?
CD got rid of Moochie too ****ing early. Coulda fleeced a 1st rounder from the pistons easy. I've always though Moochie could thrive on a team where all the other players are ridiculously good.
DA + Sura + Barry/Deke/Wesley for Cato + two 2nds (Det 06, Phil 07?) Rockets clear some contracts, Detroit locks up a title. We could also lose Swift or Howards contract if we wanted.
You forgot one thing: a point guard (not an injured one, that is). Good luck trying to convince Detroit that DA can handle backup PG, or any backup position for that matter.
What if Cato becomes the first player from those old Steve-Cat Rocket teams to win a ring? Who would have made that prediction a few years ago?
