Re: Chris McCosky: Burning Questions | Pistons Aren't Desperate to Make Deal http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...702210325/1127/ <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Chris McCosky: Burning Questions Pistons aren't desperate to make a deal Burning questions as the Pistons -- and their competitors -- creep closer to the NBA trade deadline: Q. Are the Pistons any closer to making a deal? A. No. In fact, the phrase Joe Dumars used Tuesday morning was, "nothing remotely close." But he and vice president of basketball operations John Hammond stayed in Auburn Hills and were working the phones Tuesday while the team was in Milwaukee. The deadline is Thursday, and they are still searching for a veteran perimeter player, preferably a point guard. Q. Are the Pistons involved in any of the big names reportedly on the market, like Pau Gasol, Jason Kidd or Vince Carter? A. No. The Pistons aren't looking to take on that much salary, or break up the core of their team. Q. Have the Pistons made calls on Mike James? A. Yes. Like I wrote last week, James is the type of player they are looking for and his salary matches Nazr Mohammed's. But I can't imagine why Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale would want to make a deal that would help a coach he fired two years ago win a title. Q. How damaging would it be if the Pistons didn't make a deal before the deadline? A. Not damaging at all. The Pistons have the requisite pieces to make a run at another title. The only deal they are looking to make is adding a player that would maybe play 15 minutes a game. It would be nice to get another ball-handler and scorer on the perimeter. It would be nice to have some insurance for Chauncey Billups and Lindsey Hunter. But it's certainly not mandatory. Q. What if, say the Heat or Cavaliers or Bulls make a major trade. Say the Bulls got Gasol or the Cavaliers somehow got Mike Bibby. Would that change the Pistons' thinking? A. Not to the point where Dumars would feel he had to make a drastic, desperate move. Understand that those teams would have to give up major pieces to acquire those players. The Bulls probably would have to give up either Ben Gordon or Luol Deng. The Cavaliers would have to give up a good chunk of their core group. You would have to weigh what they gave up against what they gained. It is very rare a team can acquire a major player without losing one or more core players in the deal. The Pistons have had that good fortune twice now -- acquiring Rasheed Wallace in 2004 and Chris Webber this season. Dumars has built this team to compete against the best teams in both conferences. I doubt he is losing sleep over what his competitors in the East are doing. Q. So, what percentage would you put on the Pistons making a deal vs. not making a deal? A. I would say it's 35-65. Three weeks ago, I would have said there was a better than 80 percent chance Mohammed and Flip Murray would be gone. Now, I think it's more likely no deals will be made. But, as we all have seen, these things can change in an instant. Looking ahead * Wednesday: Magic Tip-off: 7:30 p.m., The Palace TV/radio: TV 20/WDFN 1130 Notable: Two former Pistons are in the regular playing group. Darko Milicic is averaging 8.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 23.1 minutes, and Carlos Arroyo averages 8.7 points, 3.3 assists and 20.3 minutes. * Friday: Magic Tip-off: 7:30 p.m., Amway Arena TV/radio: TV 20/WDFN 1130 Notable: Rising star Dwight Howard is third in the NBA in rebounds (11.9) and field-goal percentage (59.3). * Sunday: Bulls Tip-off: 1 p.m., The Palace TV/radio: ABC/WDFN 1130 Notable: Welcome back to The Palace, Ben Wallace. Big Ben and the Bulls will be looking to gain ground on the Pistons in the Central Division.</div>
