The Detroit Pistons are trying to rebuild after a few tough years in the Eastern conference and during the offseason the team is focusing on Josh Smith as well as the point guard position, with Jose Calderon and former team star Chauncey Billups as targets.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the team is looking at bringing back Calderon, although he has shown that he does not want to play in a rebuilding situation, as he rejected a deal from the Kings. Reports said that he was happy about the way the Kings are moving in the future, but he wasn't interested in playing there now and he also likely would get more money if he stayed with the Pistons. Calderon ended up on the team in a trade last season and he is one of the top point guards on the market this offseason.
The Pistons are looking at a number of players to add depth behind Brandon Knight, as Will Bynum and Chauncey Billups are also being looked at as potential targets. Bynum likely will get some attention from other teams in free agency and Billups would likely be a bench player next season if he signs, Billups had great success in Detroit when he took the team to the finals and he helped bring the Pistons a championship back in 2004.
The Pistons have talked with Josh Smith about signing and they also called the Celtics about the possibility of trading for Rajon Rondo, who may be on the trading block after the team dealt Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Rondo is one of the best point guards in the NBA and despite being hurt last season he averaged 11.1 points, 8.3 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 48 percent over the past seven years with the Celtics. The 27-year-old said he was happy to work with new head coach Brad Stevens, but it's unclear if the team will trade him or not.
Smith is a target for the Pistons as well, but after spending money on high-priced free agents Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon in the past, the team may avoid giving out another huge contract. The Pistons haven't been a contender for a number of years and last season they ranked 22nd in the NBA in scoring per game and allowed nearly 100 per game on defense. The team was ranked 13th in rebounding and 22nd in assists and went just 29-53 overall last season, including 8-8 against the Central division.
