Baron Davis (photo. Tim Tadder)According to The Contra Costa Times, the Pistons and Warriors are eyeing a blockbuster deal that would send Baron Davis and Al Harrington to Detroit for Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace. Would that move make sense for both clubs? The Warriors would add a bona fide force on the block in ‘Sheed, and the Pistons would turbo-charge their attack with Baron, Rip and Tayshaun.
Joe Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, gave notice after losing the Eastern Conference finals that no one on his veteran-laden team would be safe, and the source said Detroit is willing to divest itself of longtime stars Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups.
Wallace, like Davis an unrestricted free agent after ‘08-09, would give the Warriors their best true power forward since Chris Webber’s first stint in 1993-94 and has 3-point range that coach Don Nelson would love.
And the inclusion of Billups, who has been made more expendable by the emergence of rookie Rodney Stuckey last season, would ease any concerns from Nelson about the point guard position. Although Nelson thinks Monta Ellis eventually needs to move to point guard, he played him primarily at shooting guard on offense last season, allowing Davis to quarterback the team.
Since Wallace and Billups will combine to take home nearly $25 million in 2008-09, the Warriors would need to add more salary ballast to Davis in order to make the salary-cap numbers work.
One possibility in that role would be forward Al Harrington. A source close to the 10th-year forward said he is currently leaning toward requesting a trade from the Warriors this summer, although he will not make a final decision until after the draft…
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June 25th, 2008 at 11:55 am
rangerjohn says:
i dont like it for either team. wallace and billups are not going to fit nelly’s “im runnin and gunnin” style offence, while they could help on the d in oaktown.
davis is only going to help the pistons with cap space after next season. he plays no d, and he and stuckey will be bumping heads.
i just dont like it.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
fallinup says:
If this trade were to go down, with Baron and Harrington going to Detroit…you can send the defensive persona that the Pistons have been known for right down the pooper.
Once again, like most of these Detroit deals..I think this is all talk.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
G says:
I actually like it a lot for the warriors. Getting rid of Harrington opens up some space for some of their other forwards to get more time (Wright, Pietrius). Sheed bulks up the front line which would be more than serviceable with him and Biedrins. And theyre getting a PG who can still fill it up but will pass more and jack less.
Detroit? They lose out. They dont get any younger. Harrington doesnt really seem to fit their defensive style and will not rebound.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
fallinup says:
Both Sheed and Billup’s offensive strengths are built for the half court game. This trade is BS.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Yoooo says:
Billups and Wallace would love to have an even greener light to fire away, what are u talking about? Sheed gets to spot in transition and Chauncey is allowed to force even more “wtf” shots.
Who is stuckey to bump heads with a bonafide superstar??? The boy had a good playoff run in a backup/2 game starter role now he’s the next Tiny Archibald? knock it off. Al Harrington would make Detroit that much more versatile. I don’t know how good a coach there new guy is, but hed have talent to work with in a different manner than has become the staple of piston bball.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
JA says:
Why would Detriot trade an expiring contract in Sheed for an expiring contract in Davis (who, even if this deal went down wouldn’t be kept more than next year - I just don’t see it). So what happens is they trade a solid expiring contract and a top 10 (at least) point guard for Harington?
I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to figure out a better deal then that if you were the Pistons.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
This reminds me of the deal that was rumored with the nuggets in the fact that it involves similar players so it’s pretty much a wash. Not gonna happen.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Once again DIME yall stealing my news. I already broke this story earlier today. Whats next….let me guess an article about Shaq losing his badge?
But anyway not really sure about this trade.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
I could actually see this. Getting a guy like Baron means you have a guy that can carry you in games. They’ve been a hell of a team, but never had that guy that you could give the ball to at the end of games and trust him to trade buckets w/ the Kobes of the world. With Stuckey waiting int he wings, you have the insurance in place when Baron inevitably misses 20+ games (only 82 game season he’s played in a long time was right before he could opt out and is asking for an extension. I’m not saying, I’m just saying…) Harrington gives them some more offense and you can play Tayshaun at the 4 if you go small (I definitely see this happening some in the Olympics) and still have McDyess, Maxiell, and Amir to rotate at the bigs (and Harrington.) They’ve needed more scoring, this would get that for them and either free up some cap space when Baron leaves or give them Baron for the long haul.
for GS, it gives them a good post presence that can teach BWright and gives them a PG for now that can mentor Monta and allow him to stay at the 2 if they want.
I don’t know if this actually happens since it’d change both of their styles and systems, but it does make a lot more sense than any of the other deals I’ve seen floated for Detroit
June 25th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Big Freeze says:
what is with all these bullshit trade rumors? none of these “blockbuster” trades are going to happen.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
word says:
can’t co-sign this move
June 25th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@Big Freeze
If Joey D says he’s gonna make a move, he’s gonna make a move and it won’t be for a teams 2nd best player. Pleassse Belieevve It!
June 25th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
rangerjohn says:
the ONLY plus to swaping davis and sheeds expiring contracts, davis makes about 4 mil more so he would free up 17+ mil where as sheed frees up 13 mil. not to mention billups has 4 more yrs for about 50 mil, harrington has 2 for 19 mil.
that is the ONLY plus for the pistons.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
J-Dre says:
So each team is looking to trade its point guard to allow a younger player (e.g. Stuckey and Ellis) to take over running the team, but each team is also getting a point in return? Huh?
June 25th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Brandon Hoffman says:
Why would the Warriors trade for a point guard that doesn’t fit their scheme and is three years older than the one they have? Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups (together) might be SLIGHTLY better than Davis and Harrington but you don’t trade youth for experience unless you’re getting substantially better. I don’t see the Warriors improving much with this deal.
June 25th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
dana says:
so cool guy,does he still hook up with those tall beauties on the tall dating site ____Tallmingle.com____ ???The last time I saw his profile is last monday, hope he does not leave.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
DO says:
i’m a big chauncey fan, however, i wouldn’t mind baron running the point. i don’t think either team is going to improve much, but it would significantly change both teams.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@Austin/DIME y’all need to think about blocking this tall mingle fool. You wouldn’t give away free advertising spots in your magazine would you? So why would you on your website. Just a thought.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
YOUNGFED says:
@post#18
yeah really
June 25th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
AY says:
the warriors will get significantly better with this trade in terms of talent. This was the first time in 6 years that baron davis got healthy, and his value will never be higher. One thing Don Nelson’s system requires is good defense: you can’t run if the other team scores every time. This will be a more defensively committed group than one they had last year; they can run the break with monta, and when they slow it down let billups make the decision. And Rasheed is the perfect Nelson player: high mobility, can defend, spreads the D for good offensive spacing, can shoot 3s. Pistons can let Davis walk after this year when his contract runs out and turn the keys to stuckey, but they should get more than just al harrington.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
BlazeMcHerbs says:
BDiddy would be bring an offense change to the Detroit Style, and having Harrington is also good. Pistons lose a lot on defense and gain on offense. But i cant see this deal going through unless Detroit is planning on adding another big man who’s defense first. Sheed is a huge loss on the defensive end. And Stuckey/Davis compares with a older Billups/Stuckey duo. Over 48 minutes, they’ll get the results they want.
Too much of a risk, dont see it happening unless they get a defensive big.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
rangerjohn says:
AY
are you serious? nelly’s “system ” requires good defense? since when? the warriors are only better on defense then maybe the suns and the nuggets i mean really?
lmao i know i must have read that wrong. since when has nelly EVER coached defense? he tends to just let his guys go play. damn he looks drunk on the sidelines about 75% of the games anyway.
if this trade where toe ever go it would be all about money to the pistons, and all about the air of “we got 2 of the pistons that have lead the pistons to the conf finals every yr for the last 5-6 yrs.”
i mean saying “we are getting 2 players that have been to the conf finals 5 yrs in a row sure sounds good, no mater who they are and no mater what wear ass conf they where in. warriors, ” ok guys we are going to give up davis who wants out anyway, and harrington who has underachieved and wants out too for 2 PLAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORLD CHAMPS AND ARE STILL GOOD PLAYERS. and if it doesnt work out one at least is still an expiring contract.” it is a win win really, even though i dont like it, both teams would win (sort of)
June 25th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
The Warriors would add a bona fide force on the block in ‘Sheed…
hahahaha. when has rasheed wallace ever been a bona fide force on the low block?
i like sheed; in fact, i dunno anyone who doesn’t like him; but he’s not a low block player (nor is kg or dirk). ppl keep waiting, but just accept the fact that he aint no force on the block.
anyone can play in nellie system. this scenario can work for either team.
this deal would help brandan wright learn a thing or two and monta ellis will average 25pts per game without achy baron to slow down is offense.
rasheed wallace and stephen jackson in a locker room together should be interesting too…
….on the detroit side…i dont see what they would get from al harrington. and they might only get 1yr from baron davis. baron and rip would be a cool backcourt; with baron, at least the pistons might actually have a fastbreak next yr
June 25th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
K Dizzle says:
If Joe D woulda drafted Wade, Bosh,or Melo, Detroit wouldn’t be involved in EVERY SINGLE trade rumour we been hearin since the finals….
no free passes
June 25th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Brown says:
Maybe Sheed and Chauncey would BRING a defensive mentality to the team and make the other players more accountable. Did anybody ever consider that the reason the Warriors run so much is because they have no post game and are forced to just jack jumpers all night long? I think it’s a good idea to make this trade, but their might be too much wear and tear on these guys to make a significant impact on their playoff hopes. If Sheed wasn’t a jacker, then maybe, but he ain’t no post player and that’s what the Warriors are desperately lacking because they get killed on the glass and rarely get offensive boards unless it’s a long rebound and they happen to be in the right place at the right time.
June 25th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
tim says:
I don’t like this at all for Detroit. Doesn’t make any sense
I dont want an injury prone shot happy guard running the offense.
Nor do I want Al Harrington. He provides no relief at all…unless he’s coming off the bench…
Either way they are butting heads with Michael Curry from Day One.
Josh Smith is what I want to see.
I just don’t see Joe D making a trade just to do one.
And if you lose Sheed…dude there’s noone on the block at all…look how that worked for the Bulls?
Maybe if it was Baron straight up for Chauncey…but not trading Al Harrington for Sheed…those two aren’t even close.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Ding Dong We Got The 6th Pick says:
Give Joe D props for “beating the grass to startle the snakes”. First of all, who saw Sheed play in the block during the ECF? Secondly, the Pistons don’t take personnel risk. Sheed was an exception because he came in knowing what the Pistons wanted him to do. Baron is a risk just because of all the injury baggage. No one likes this deal, but its helping GMs know who are on the block and the more talk there is, the better chances Joe gets a good deal eventually. This is the stuff tabloids are made of to generate talk on discussion boards.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Icy says:
Freak yah they would have to include Harrington, The man is just Rasheed light.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Papo0808 says:
well i dont thinks this is good move for the badboys squad but for me it was a rebuilding to both teams trying to create a good impact to their ballclub, i like sheed and chauncy in piston bec. they r both great and veteran player and ofcourse a championship experience if they will go in oakland wow they r a good addition in that team bec of their experience and d-fense, they r a gems player prove to be a champs, well i guess this is a good move for goldenstate…
June 26th, 2008 at 11:50 am
DurrtyInjun says:
I’m taggin any possible Josh Smith trade scenario. Don’t know if ATL would go for it, but if they would take chauncey str8 up (or maybe with Prince and another Hawk thrown in) u gotta do it.