Trade Rumor: Could Sheed Reunite with Larry?

Shapecity · Sep 7, 2008

I've had a couple of emails today from Charlotte Bobcats fans who saw a report in Sports Illustrated suggesting that the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats and Detroit Pistons might be working on a trade - or could eventually work a trade - that would send Rasheed Wallace back to his old stomping grounds near UNC. Now that Larry Brown is coaching the Tarheel-laden Charlotte Bobcats, you're going to see a lot of rumors about former Tarheels returning home to bring the state's only pro basketball franchise up to the level of their impressive collegiate programs.

That feat will require more than a trade for Rasheed Wallace, as those North Carolina college teams are pretty darn good! But that's beside the point right now.

What the real agenda here? We've all read and re-read the many accounts of Joe Dumars talking about how he wants to make a blockbuster deal to improve his team. The problem with blockbuster deals is that they often decimate both sides for a period of time. Considering that Pistons are not only an elite level team in the East as constructed, with three All-Stars in their starting lineup, and that they already have the next round of starters in training behind those All-Stars, you have to wonder just how much improving there is to do. All the talk of trading Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince seemed ridiculous to me, as you'll never find a better clutch performer than Billups in the trade market and Prince is the glue that holds everything together. We all know what happens when you dissolve the glue.

But here's where the "eventually" part of SI's logic comes in. Wallace will be a free agent next summer, meaning roughly $13.6 million will come off the books. The Pistons can either keep Wallace and use that cap space themselves - to re-sign Richard Hamilton or perhaps lure a replacement like Ray Allen to Detroit - or they can deal him at the deadline to acquire a player who helps them long-term. Gerald Wallace would certainly look good in a Pistons uniform.

On the flip side we have the Bobcats, who have an incredible amount of talent in their lineup but weren't able to put it together under head coach Sam Vincent. If it gets to be February and Larry Brown hasn't had any better luck in that department, Rasheed Wallace could be the guy who comes in a makes an impact. He might just be the piece that gets them into the playoffs.

Right now it's almost silly to speculate, though that's what August is for. The Pistons should stand pat and let their core group have another shot at a title. Plenty of people will pick the Pistons to come out of the East as constructed. As for Charlotte, they need to give Brown a chance to see what he can do with the talent they already have before they start blowing things up. That team could be very good for a very long time if they come together the right way.
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Source: HoopsWorld

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Trade Rumor: Could Sheed Reunite with Larry?

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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Trade Rumor: Could Sheed Reunite with Larry?

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