Dud or Stud? Dumars and the Tayshaun Prince Trade
Since the Pistons didn’t make any deadline deals, we will get creative and play a new game called “Dud or Stud”. Is Joe Dumars a “dud” or a “stud” for the trade? You can rant or rave after reading the facts (and some opinions) below.
Last January, Joe Dumars made a trade. It included giving up long-time Pistons fan favorite, and the last member of the 2004 Championship team, Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye and receiving all-star point guard Jose Calderon.
Where are they now?
Jose Calderon:
Calderon did a great job for the Pistons the second half of the 2012-13 season with leading the team and providing a great assist-to-turnover ratio, high assists/game, and high 3-point percentage. His addition made it possible for Brandon Knight to get his turn at shooting guard. This appeared to be an experiment. Calderon reported waiting for the Pistons to make contact with him after his contract expired, but got sick of waiting and signed with the Dallas Mavericks. It is believed the Pistons were waiting on Josh Smith before they turned to consider adding him. Others believe that the exchange of point guards, Brandon Knight for Brandon Jennings, made Calderon a moot point (guard).
Calderon is making less money than current Piston point guard, Brandon Jennings. Calderon’s stats increased, when he came to Detroit from the Toronto Raptors, in all categories. Comparing his stats with Detroit versus with the Dallas Mavericks, his numbers are worse again with the Mavs with slightly better points per game. You have to ask yourself if Detroit brings the best out of players or if Detroit is just so bad right now that an average player can boost their stats.
Tayshaun Prince:
Prince was considered a glue-guy. He did the things that were necessary – rebound some, assist some, score some points, and play lock-down defense (most of the time…ok, in his younger years at least). He has won 2nd Defensive Team for 3 years and a gold medal at both the Tournament of Americans with the US Team in 2007 and the 2008 Olympic Games. He was not known for anything specifically, but always had a heart to win despite never seeing it on his countenance during a game. He was the original source of the term “buffoonery” when discussing the then coach and his immature tactics. His was getting a little discouraged by seeing his 2004 team slowly get pawned off for spare parts.
At 33 years of age, Prince has been in the NBA for 11 years. He is known as a player who plays a lot of games as he is very seldom injured. Comparing his stats from last year, they significantly reduced when playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Additionally, this season his stats are even worse and a current rumor states his minutes will be lessened by at least 10 minutes a game so that that James Johnson could have more time. The veteran is going towards the bench and the future SF will be gaining his minutes.
Austin Daye:
Daye was supposed to be the next coming of Prince. Same build (too skinny) but quickness and length to allow to be a defensive stopper. They both were from California too. Talent is there, however, he got in a serious rut at times. Confidence was believed to be a major issue.
Comparing the two halves of last season, Daye received less minutes per game, and all his stats reduced. He signed with Toronto during the summer and has averaged less than 5 minutes a game (a third of what he did with the Pistons), and all stats are even worse than when he was with the Memphis Grizzlies last year.
Summary:
What did Detroit gain from this trade? Joe Dumars mentioned after missing the championship game back in 2008 that there will not be a fire sale, but alluded to a rebuilding project. Prince was the last of that team. A new chapter in the Pistons history started that day. The Pistons gained an opportunity to add Calderon to a contract, but also ridded the long salary of Prince. Daye was just a throw-in to make the trade work. The extra salary and small forward spot was later filled with Josh Smith.
Do you think Joe Dumars is a stud or a dud for this trade?
Share your thoughts!
