Column by Captain Obvious...


Maybe a trade can solve Pistons' problems

TED KULFAN

With every game -- this season it's been more than usual in every loss -- it's becoming increasingly apparent. This Pistons roster, as currently configured, just isn't going to get the job done.

The chemistry just isn't right. There are too many of the same kind of players (perimeter oriented) who don't seem to complement each other as was hoped at the start of the season.

For some reason, the effort doesn't always come out of this group collectively. Losses to Indiana and Portland the last two nights essentially put the exclamation mark on that belief.

With that mind, and I wasn't particularly keen on this belief early in the season, but it might be time to shop Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton at the trade deadline.

Ben Wallace isn't going to get traded, nor should he. Wallace has a veteran presence this team needs.

But Hamilton and Prince, like Wallace last links to the championship run, would bring more of a return with a trade. They'd create salary-cap space and alleviate some of the logjam in the shooting guard/small forward positions.

Something has to be done. Plus, you wonder how their mental approach will be if the losing continues. Witness Prince's blow up with coach John Kuester in Friday's loss to the Pacers. That was frustration more than anything, and you get the sense there will be more frustration with this team.

Hamilton and Prince are two players who've experienced extraordinarily good times with the Pistons. For a long period of time, too. Going through a rebuilding process, as this one looks to be right now, might not be what these two veterans want at this point in their careers. Of the two, Prince is more likely to be moved.

With one year left on his contract after this season (Hamilton has four), Prince could be a fine fit for a team either at a championship level or close to it.

Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko can hold down Prince's small forward spot. The chemistry could be better with a younger cast. Something has to be done, because it's just not working right now.

ted.kulfan@detnews.com
(313) 223-4606

"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives."
Winter is Coming

Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.