Comments on: Detroit MLE Dreams: Louis Amundson (Updated with more from Schwartz)

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:35:43 +0000

Laser, Raymond Felton signed a two-year, $15.8 million contract. The Pistons could have offered a two year deal worth up to $11.2 million. They also could have offered a five-year deal worth up to $33,437,000. Maybe he would've taken the long-term security over less money per year. Maybe he wouldn't have. But you can't assume Felton could have been a Piston if Dumars offered.

I don't think injuries were Detroit's only problem, and I don't think Dumars does either. But they were a big problem.

By: Laser

Laser — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:26:12 +0000

sure, the pistons “could” make a trade that frees up roster spots, but i don’t think it’s happening. obviously joe is having a hard time moving the contracts he wants to move, because he’s got so darned many bad contracts. i can’t stand all these kids who act like joe should be commended for not spending the MLE. i’m not in favor of spending the MLE now (i don’t think there’s a good free agent left), but i’m not about to pat joe on the back for anything. he should have offered the MLE to felton in the first place. this team is a mess. joe’s been a disaster lately. he’s not biding his time waiting to make a move, he’s cowering in a corner trying to convince himself that injuries were our only problem last year. i’d love to believe joe is going to make a move, but i don’t think there are any beneficial moves to be made, and that’s a reflection on the rotten team joe’s put together. and still, if anyone can explain how we’re going to divide our perimeter minutes, i’d just love to know.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:04:18 +0000

Koz, after seeing the videos Schwartz linked (especially the second one), I’d be even more excited if Detroit signed Amundson.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:03:13 +0000

TDP, I was pretty surprised to see Etan Thomas is only 32. He seems much older and has only played 49 games the last three years combined.

He's only played more than 47 games in a season twice in his career! That's pretty insane.

If the Pistons signed him to a minimum contract to be a backup backup backup big man, I wouldn't complain. But that's in part because they wouldn't sign him unless he passed a physical.

Who knows, maybe Arnie Kander could help him have a Dana Barros-like revival. I just don't see it.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:52:17 +0000

Gmehl, I think you’re right about Summers. Maybe the only way Summers finds the motivation to succeed is by being traded. If that’s the case, the Pistons are in a no-win scenario.

As far as Blair, I wanted him instead of Daye. Then, I wanted him instead of Summers. But it’s tough to blame Dumars. At least nearly every other GM — and maybe every GM — doubted Blair because of his health.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:47:41 +0000

Patrick, DaJuan Summers’ contract became guaranteed for this year on July 1. Pistons could still cut him, but it would be more costly.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:45:42 +0000

Laser, you know, the Pistons could make a trade that creates more roster spots. The goal of signing Amundson wouldn’t be to leave money for other free agents. It would be because he might be the best viable big man free agent still on the market. Having extra money would be small bonus.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:34:51 +0000

Gulker, that’s an excellent point. If the Pistons sign someone with the MLE who doesn’t work out, they’d probably have to trade one of Hamilton or Prince or let Prince walk in the summer. Maybe it makes sense to not sign anyone.

By: koz

koz — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:36:54 +0000

a strong young hustle player, tough with a good attitude. would be a good fit into the pistons style of play. I say go for it.

By: TDP

TDP — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:26:29 +0000

SIGN ETAN THOMAS NOW!!!