Stan Van Gundy is just getting his motor running in Detroit, but the purr of a true basketball fan's engine never stops, so speculation about what kind of team will hit the floor next year goes on in Motor City, especially in the offseason.
According to Zach Lowe at Grantland, Detroit needs to look south to find the fuel they need to get the wheels spinning again in Detroit. He thinks Lance Stephenson makes a lot of sense for the Pistons, because he is a rare talent at shooting guard, and could provide the Pistons the charge they need, and hobble the Pacers in the process.
In Stephenson, Lowe sees an unselfish player who has All-Star potential for years to come. At 25, Stephenson can become a fixture on the wing for someone for a decade possibly.
How well he plays is all dependent on how well he meshes with whatever team he ends up on, and so far that hasn't really happened on the Pacers.
Some saw Paul George's less than enthusiastic endorsement of resigning Stephenson as yet another sign of trouble in Indiana. The team had an up and way down season, before falling to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. A trade to Detroit may be great for Indiana, and also great for Stephenson.
Detroit, whose chemistry has been bad for some time, looks to make changes to make their own locker room a place the players can stand.
Sean Deveney of Sporting News reported that Van Gundy could let Greg Monroe go this summer, either by sign-and-trade with an interested team, or by just letting him walk in free agency.
Monroe averaged 15.2 points and 9.3 rebounds this season and will become a restricted free agent this summer. This means that the Pistons will have the right to match any offer tendered to the 23-year-old power forward, but not many people expect them too.
The Lakers and the Pelicans have been interested in Monroe.
Aside from Monroe, forward Josh Smith could already be on his way out of Detroit after signing a four-year, $54 million deal with the Pistons about this time last year.
The Pistons offered Smith up before the trade deadline in the season, but it remains to be seen whether or not they will find a taker for the 28-year-old forward this summer.
Josh Smith has not fit in so far with Detroit.
Smith averaged 16.4 points to go along with 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his first season in Detroit.
The Hornets and the Magic have inquired about Smith, reportedly.
For Monroe and Smith, the issue is somewhat with production, and some with how well they fit into Van Gundy's new offense, but mostly the Pistons want get rid of them and rebuild around a solid core that has chemistry to play together.
