Cleveland Looking For #2 Overall Also?

[Evantime34]

no way detroit does this, the idea of salary cap amnesty has already been floated out there. if there is even a possibility that they could remove rips contract off the books for nothing there is no way they'd give up the 8 th pick to do so.  they need a young big to pair with monroe.

[Roy H.]

no way detroit does this, the idea of salary cap amnesty has already been floated out there. if there is even a possibility that they could remove rips contract off the books for nothing there is no way they'd give up the 8 th pick to do so.  they need a young big to pair with monroe.

Even with amnesty, though, the contract still costs $25 million; it just doesn't count against Detroit's cap and/or luxury tax.

Basically, Detroit would be trading the #8 pick in a very weak draft for a $12.5 million cap exception and $25 million.  To me, that's a very good deal from a business perspective (if not a talent perspective).

[PortCelt]

no way detroit does this, the idea of salary cap amnesty has already been floated out there. if there is even a possibility that they could remove rips contract off the books for nothing there is no way they'd give up the 8 th pick to do so.  they need a young big to pair with monroe.

Even with amnesty, though, the contract still costs $25 million; it just doesn't count against Detroit's cap and/or luxury tax.

Basically, Detroit would be trading the #8 pick in a very weak draft for a $12.5 million cap exception and $25 million.  To me, that's a very good deal from a business perspective (if not a talent perspective).

Good insight ... a palatable deal for both teams. The Wolves are not luring any big name free agents either. Perhaps they can package one of those picks and move Flynn's bad contract for a proven veteran.

[pearljammer10]

Irving doesn't seem like a #1 pick... although I guess there's no one that does.  I think they should take Derrick Williams and then package 4 and Hickson for Westbrook. 

Why would a team that went to the western conference finals trade their all star point guard and second best player for project whose position is already filled and a high pick in a draft that is extremely weak?

[indeedproceed]

agree w above. okc needs another yr or two of seasoning and a healthy perkins. that's their most sure way to the next level

[Lucky17]

Terrible trade for Detroit. They give up the #8 pick and Hamilton--for what? Rip only has two years remaining on his contract. Next season, that contract will be expiring, and have real value on the trade market.

Cleveland should be looking to go all in to get the top 2 picks in the draft, though. If Minnesota is willing to give up the #2 (they shouldn't), I'm sure Gilbert will figure out a way to get it done.

Detroit just wants to save $$$.  They probably figure the draft pick will just get them a project player who they will have to pay way more $$$ than he is worth 'cause it's such a weak draft.

No rookie on a lottery pick contract, no Rip Hamilton for the next few years, open roster spots for cheaply paid veterans = lots of saved moula for the Pistons.

I think that's a false premise. New owner Tom Gores is made out of money: his net worth is $2.4 billion.

If Detroit was desperate to drop payroll, it'd be Ben Gordon, not Rip Hamilton, rumored to be traded.

BTW, the final year on Hamilton's contract is not fully guaranteed. So there's even more incentive to hold onto him one more year. That contract will be a tremendous trade chip next year.

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/pistons.jsp

[Who]

BTW, the final year on Hamilton's contract is not fully guaranteed. So there's even more incentive to hold onto him one more year. That contract will be a tremendous trade chip next year.

http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/pistons.jsp

It's mostly guaranteed if my memory serves me.

I think it was $9 million guaranteed out of $12.5 million or something like that.

So it's not much of a trade chip it's in final year. Comparable value to a straight expiring contract, slightly more but not much.

[Who]

I agree with everyone who says there is little incentive for Detroit to do this deal or any deal like this. And for that reason, I don't think there is anything to this rumour. My guess is that they were preliminary trade talks but they never became anything more than that.

It's always dangerous to sell away your draft picks for money. It consistently works out against your team in the long. Even though this is a weak draft, there will be some solid players available at their pick slot. I think the pick is more valuable than ridding themselves of two years left on Rip's deal.