Lets pretend for a moment the trade rumors of Kevin Garnett going to the Lakers to join Kobe Bryant fall through (which is likely). Could Joe Dumars really make a run at either one of these two.
First, I am going to have to rule out Minnesota and getting Garnett. A proposed Mohammed for Jaric or Hudson trade was discussed at the deadline, but Kevin McHale didnt want to deal with the Pistons. This most likely relates to his bitter breakup with former coach Flip Saunders, with McHale still holding a grudge and not wanting to help his former friend.
A trade for Kobe though, is quite realistic. Say the Lakers come to the conclusion that they must indeed ship him out. One idea I have had, and was finally discussed on WXYT today by Scott Anderson and Tony Ortiz, is a package centered around Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. They also included Lindsey Hunter and the #15 pick, while I think we would have to give up more such as the #15 pick, along with either Jason Maxiell or Amir Johnson, and maybe more after that. But thats beside the point. It would be a tremendous deal because the Pistons only lose two players who contributed much last year. And then someone like Ortiz (resident Matt Millen cornbread eater) says this cant happen because the Pistons would lose too much. Excuse me? And then he says you cant win with a superstar and no supporting cast. Hello? Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess, possibly Grant Hill are not exactly no names. These guys can play, and a backcourt of Billups and Bryant would be straight not fair.
At this point, the callers basically ridiculed Ortiz. Does TO realize that Tayshaun Prince contributed, oh, nothing against Cleveland??? Listen, you have to give up something to get something. Kobe Bryant is the NBA's best player. Losing Rip and Tayshaun to get Kobe is well worth it, no matter who you get to plug in at SF. I loved when Ortiz said you have to win with teams and not stars, only for Anderson to point out that Cleveland just did beat the Pistons with a 1 man team. And then he points out imagine what the Pistons could do with the best player, and another two All-Stars. Yeah Tony, good call on this one. And then Ortiz says you need to be like the Spurs where it is an all around good team. Has he ever heard of Tim Duncan??? Oh well, I guess he should just stick to his day job of covering the Lions and the Matt Millen cornbread.
To end this discussion though, Joe Dumars needs to do everything possible to look into trading for Kobe Bryant. This Pistons have proved the last 2 seasons they cant win with the status quo. They need a player who can take a game over, create his shot, and drive the lane, something nobody currently can do. If they dont make a strong move to address weaknesses, other teams will pass the Pistons on by, especially if someone like Chicago can land Bryant or Garnett.
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