How Would T.J. Ford Look In A Piston's Uniform?

by Ian Levy on May 6, 2010 12:53 PM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

There was a post today at Detroit Bad Boys, mentioning that the Pistons will be looking for a "starting-caliber point guard this summer." I'm not sure if this means the team is looking to trade Rodney Stuckey, or if they have just decided his future is at shooting guard. Either way, it got my wheels spinning. The post starts with a discussion of the Piston's backcourt situation and then analyzes some of the potential point guards they could chase (some PG-13 language, but worth the read if only to inform our own point guard search). I noticed a rather large omission from this list: T.J. Ford.

Now, I am not sure if he actually qualifies as a "starting-caliber point guard,' but Jamal Tinsley was on the list so I'm guessing they have a fairly loose list of criteria. There are some very unattractive trade options from the Pacers point of view, as the Pistons would probably want to unload Richard Hamilton (3 more years at $12.5 million) or Charlie Villanueva (4 more years at roughly $8 million) in exchange for taking back Ford.

There are a few things exciting scenarios though. One is the possibility of acquiring Tayshaun Prince. I know he doesn't fit a real need, and hasn't been healthy lately, but he could back-up Granger provide some defense, shooting and leadership off the bench. Also, his $11 million dollar contract expires next summer so we could maintain some flexibility. I am not sure if this is realistic but I know there was some talk about the Pistons moving him around the trade deadline. It's a lot more difficult to make the contracts match up with Stuckey involved, but he could be a big upgrade at either guard spot for the Pacers. The other option might be some sort of 1st Round draft pick swap this year. It all depends on how the lottery shakes out.

So Joe Dumars, are you interested? Give your old friend Larry a call . . .

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T.J. is a starting caliber point guard. But, he gets a little out of control and is playing in the worst situation possible with the 3 happy system of Jim O’Brien. He was averaging like 15 ppg.

by B-Huse on May 6, 2010 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

Detroit...

…you want T.J. Ford! You need T.J. Ford! Please, for the love of God, take T.J. Ford!!! He will certainly start for you. If he fooled Milwaukee, Toronto and Indiana into believing he was starter, surely you would like to believe it to. Maybe you guys are the one’s who can make it actually work. Take a chance!!

by blueandgold24 on May 6, 2010 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Author of the DBB article here

Part 1 of that article is on free agents only. I didn’t include TJ Ford on that list because he has an $8.5 million player option. While he’s due for a demotion in pay, Detroit would be foolish to commit even part of the MLE on Ford— and Ford would be foolish not to exercise his option.

So first, I don’t see Ford as a free agent this year. Second, no way in hell would Detroit want any part of TJ Ford. We have a better player in Will Bynum as a restricted free agent right now, and we can extend Bynum without spending a dime of our MLE.

If Detroit would TRADE any player for Ford, it would be Hamilton, only to get out of his contract. No way would we trade Prince’s expiring for Ford, only if you would include Hibbert in the deal (which you would be crazy to). And regarding trades, I have Part II of my article series coming this weekend on DBB. And that’s a list TJ Ford is on… but mostly to be dogged. Sorry :(

"Gee'drah write a rhyme in the time he hollow out a flask - crack a Guinness stout with his teeth one time, swallowed the glass"

by Mike Payne on May 6, 2010 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately

It appears that’s the most logical approach to Ford. I don’t think Detroit has any real use for his skills (especially given Bynum). I would love to get a return for Ford’s deal, but to come out ahead in a deal for Ford is going to be impossible given his value right now where it is. There’s absolutely no sense in hastening the exit of Ford if it means taking on a bad contract (especially one as bad as Villanueva’s – any mention of that contract is a deal killer for me).

Best case scenario, he gives you a solid contract year. But I think Ford’s a better deadline move, especially if he’s having that solid contract year. There’s no value for him now, so if he’s still worthless at the deadline, I don’t think we’re really losing anything by letting him walk and getting the cap space (though I will be driving the point home for the next twelve months that talent is faaarrrr more valuable to the Pacers than money).

Besides, there’s no way Detroit gives up anything remotely interesting for him, so…yeah.

by Nathan S. on May 6, 2010 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry I missed the Free Agent criteria for your list

T.J. already announced he would be pick up his option, no surprise. I knew it was unlikely, but we Pacer fans are so desparate to move him, and just get something, anything from his roster spot; we are grasping at any opportunity no matter how unlikely.

I look forward to your dogging of T.J., and the trade possibilities article, as we are in the market for a starting caliber point guard too. Thanks for the great article, and for popping over here to comment as well!

Hickory High

by Ian Levy on May 7, 2010 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Levy, and it’s my pleasure to hop over and say hi, it looks like you guys have a pretty solid community here :)

Let’s hope both of our teams have a shot at a solid PG in the next season or two, and our records get better as well.

"Gee'drah write a rhyme in the time he hollow out a flask - crack a Guinness stout with his teeth one time, swallowed the glass"

by Mike Payne on May 7, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll drink to that!

by Ian Levy on May 7, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

you forgot to add that

T.J. comes with his very own headband, and a guaranteed “team player” attitude towards his inevitable benching.

Ewing with the step...YES! and the foul!

by Anthony Masons Haircut on May 6, 2010 7:45 PM EDT reply actions

Meh

Nothing Detroit would give for him interests me. Rip’s too old, Charlie V’s Troy Murphy w/o the boards. I’d rather let him expire than take on any of their contracts.

by IndyPacers on May 6, 2010 9:26 PM EDT reply actions