I think some of you guys are missing the point. The Pistons may be considered an elite team but they have had the same core for too long and they probably wouldn't have won another championship with Billups/Sheed/Prince/Rip as their main players. This trade basically keeps them competitive and also gives them options for the future with plenty of cap room coming up, something they couldn't count on before the trade. They could skip the entire rebuilding process if they sign a big FA with the money they'll have. They're not rebuilding in the pure sense like the Nets are, they're just refurbishing. I don't think they plan on getting rid of Rip/Sheed/Prince.
1) Lebron is a FA in 2010 2) I'm pretty sure Rasheed is in the final year of his contract, CK 3) Rasheed and AI would come off the books in 2009, a year too early to get Lebron.
