Screw Darko and the lottery pick, what about point guard?

The Darko trade rumors are getting me to the same point I was with the Martz to the Lions talk. I'm ready for something, anything to happen, just so we can stop being amateur GM's. Unfortunately, we may be talking Darko for the next week, up to the trade deadline.

Out in the blogosphere, thoughts are most definitely mixed. Ian, Eno, The Leelanau Sports Guy, The Sports Dude* and Corey at Motoring have all chimed in, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. The general consensus being, make the trade, in Joe we trust.

I gave my thoughts on Monday, and they still haven't changed. In fact, my feelings have grown stronger. I have no issue with Darko being given a championship ring, a hearty handshake and a pat on the back, then shoved out the door. Darko's a dead man walking in the D, it's more than obvious he's going somewhere by the deadline. A 2006 number one pick is a nice recovery from blowing it with Darko, but it best be in the lottery. If it's lottery protected for this year (Right now, talk is it's protected at 7 or higher), or outright changed to Orlando's 2007 first pick, as word is Orlando would prefer, then I'm more than concerned, I'm pissed.

Disregarding where the pick is in the draft, let's say Joe Dumars pulls the trigger and this particular trade is made. What happens then? Most importantly, Flip Saunders' bench is shortened even more than it already has been. Lindsey Hunter is NOT, I repeat, NOT, an option as the primary back up at point. He'll get some minutes, but he's old, he's been injured, and just got his first meaningful playing time of the season last night. All of 9 minutes, and that's in a blowout win that was never in question midway thru the 2nd half.

Remember last season, with concern that the starters were wearing out, especially Tayshaun Prince? What's going to happen to Chauncy Billups and Prince if Arroyo is out of the picture? Again, don't say "Lindsey Hunter!" If you say, "Alex Acker," I'll sign the papers for your committment.

Why am I concerned about Prince? Because I can see Prince getting significant minutes handling the ball as a pseudo point guard, with Delfino getting a few extra minutes spelling the Prince/Billups combo. You know what that brings? Burnout. Are you comfortable with Delfino getting more time in the rotation? Me? I'm on the fence. Delfino looks good in spurts, but is still very inconsistent. I don't think he's fully earned Flip's trust either.

So if the moves are made, and as the roster would stand after the trade, where does that leave the Pistons for this season? We all know how coaches are, they'll ride their best players. Flip will use a 6 man team. Sound familiar? Evans and Delfino pick up the leftovers. We don't see Davis till the Pistons face a true center in the playoffs, that being the very large man in Miami. We never see Cato (If he isn't cut first), Maxiell, Acker, and Johnson. They are still short a scorer off the bench. Do you sense the deja vu?

My feelings may change if Joe Dumars has another iron in the fire. Thing is, with what does he have left to bargain? His two biggest bargaining chips, Darko and Arroyo, would be gone. He'll have an expiring 8.5 million dollar contract, but that's supposedly set aside to allow the Pistons to keep both Ben Wallace and Chauncy Billups. What about a future draft pick(s)? But how do you take on a contract in a pick for player trade? So how does, called so deservedly, the best GM in the NBA find that extra piece of bench depth they desperately need? If I knew, I'd be running a team.

If Dumars does have that piece up his sleeve, he won't just be considered the best GM in the game, he'll be an out and out miracle worker.

I want to add this... We need to remember one thing, considering all the angst over this impending trade. The Pistons are still running away with the East, and they would still be considered favorites to win the NBA title. Which is what we all wanted anyway, right?

*Edited to add another link...