Pistons trade deadline thoughts...

Some fans are upset the Pistons did next to nothing at the trade deadline. The only move being a trade of expiring contracts, sending the last big man on the bench, Primoz Brezec, to the Raptors in return for Juan Dixon, who will be the 2nd to last guard on the bench. In other words, a tall stiff was traded for a 3rd string guard.

OK, I might be exaggerating a tad, as Dixon can play a little, but he's the 5th guard in what is a 4 guard rotation. What purpose does he serve? How does this trade make much sense at all for the Pistons? If you have answer, let me know.

My biggest concern is the possibility of Dixon taking time away from Aaron Affalo and Rodney Stuckey. It best not happen, as the 2 young guards, despite the occasional mistake, have earned their PT. If anything, Flip Murray better start packing, as this trade marginalized him even more, if that's even possible.

For those who thought the Pistons should have made a bigger splash, whom do you suggest they trade? To get a big time player, it would have required giving up one of the big four, and that's not happening.

The Pistons were essentially handcuffed, as a trade of any importance would have come at too much of a cost. It would have been a lateral move, at best. Billups, 'Sheed, Hamilton and Prince are going nowhere. Not during the season, anyway. The Pistons are going into the playoffs with the roster that brought 'em, which should be plenty good enough to make the eastern conference finals.

On the flip side, we have the Cleveland Cavaliers, who blew up their roster in a wacky trade involving 3 teams. It's a great deal for the Cavs...If it was made in 2003.

Cleveland traded Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall, Larry Hughes and a couple of warm bodies, and received 4 used-to-be's and never-were's. Namely former Pistons Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from the Bulls, along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from the Sonics.

If you ask me, the Cavs got worse, not better. This is not the sort of trade you make for the long term. Wallace is a shell of the player he was in Detroit. For the next 2+ seasons, the Cavs have a center who's no longer a game changing defender, and gives you absolutely nothing on offense. All for around $15 million a year? The Bulls are jumping for joy after unloading that contract. Their joy will be diminished when they realize they have to deal with Hughes for 2 years...

As for the rest of the deal, Gooden and Smith are basically a wash. Szczerbiak has been long overrated. He can shoot, but doesn't know what defense is, let alone play it. West is what he is, a backup point guard.

Other than ridding themselves of a headcase in Hughes, how are the Cavs that much better? They always have a chance to make playoff noise with LeBron James, but all Cleveland basically did was shuffle the cards surrounding him.

This trade is supposed to worry the Pistons and Celtics? Hardly...