By JOANNE C. GERSTNER
FOX Sports Detroit
So what now for Rip Hamilton and the Pistons?
Word came down Wednesday evening, thanks to a media gathering with Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, that the complex, three-team deal for Nuggets All-Star Carmelo Anthony is officially off.
Hamilton, Nuggets/former Pistons guard Chauncey Billups and Anthony were rumored to be traded soon to the Nets, while the Pistons and Nuggets would have collected some expiring contracts and players.
The Pistons were ready to ship Hamilton and sophomore forward DaJuan Summers to the Nets, getting forward Troy Murphy, a second-round draft pick and center Johan Petro in return.
The deal's problems were between the Nets and Nuggets, centering on Prokhorov's inability to find out Anthony's intentions in a timely fashion.
This trade had a lot of moving parts, finally undone by a lack of cross-the-finish-line momentum.
Prokhorov was supposed to meet with Anthony and his representatives Thursday, to discuss signing him to a long-term deal after this season. The meeting is off and the deal is dead, because Prokhorov said it was taking too long and causing too much damage with the grinding rumor mill.
The Nuggets had granted permission for the Nets to speak to Anthony.
"I'm not happy with the way this deal has gone until now," Prokhorov said. "It has been played out in public and it certainly has taken a toll on the players and I believe that it has cost us several games. I think management did a great job, but there comes a time when the price is simply too expensive. I'm instructing our team to walk away from the deal."
The Nets have lost six straight, and Prokhorov is not happy with the tumult around his team.
The Pistons haven't been the epicenter of drama, like the Nets and Nuggets, but the tremors from the Anthony trade travails have been clearly felt in Auburn Hills.
It wasn't a surprise Hamilton could have been shipped to Jersey. Pistons president Joe Dumars has been up-front about the team's marquee players being on the block since last summer.
Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are the Pistons' biggest pieces of trade bait, with Dumars trying to figure out the best way to use their value to secure salary cap space or new talent for his team.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. ET, so there still is a strong chance Dumars could work out a deal or two.
But the more immediate concern is what to do with Hamilton. He's been taken out of the rotation entirely, cooling his heels in warm-ups for the past five games on the Pistons bench.
The Pistons have won three of those Rip-less games and looked very competitive losing 86-82 to the Celtics in Boston Wednesday.
Even though Hamilton is an All-Star, a longtime starter and what was believed to be a key part of the Pistons, a clear truth is starting to emerge. This team right now is actually better without him on the floor.
The Pistons have a better flow, seem to be faster, and life is easier without wondering if Hamilton was going to make an ill-advised, usually emotionally driven decision.
Rookie center Greg Monroe is playing much more assertively, guard Tracy McGrady's knee seems to be healthy and strong and even Rodney Stuckey looks more relaxed playing shooting guard.
Times change, lineups change and, right now, the Pistons seem to be in a better place without Hamilton.
But no NBA team can afford to have a strong and healthy player, who is making $12.5 million this season, relaxing full-time on the bench. In case you're wondering, Hamilton earns $152,439.02 per regular-season game this season -- whether or not he's playing.
Hamilton, for his part, has said and done the right things so far. He said he understands this is a business and things happen that a player can't control. He's still working out and keeping himself prepared to play if called upon.
Inwardly, he can't be happy, going from a starter to sitting at the very end of the bench.
It's a harsh thing to realize, considering how much Hamilton has meant to this team since he arrived via a trade from the Wizards in 2002.
The cynic will note all of this Anthony drama possibly could have been avoided, if only the Pistons had drafted him instead of Darko Milicic in 2003. Yeah, yeah, we know, and Dumars has heard that enough, too.
Let's focus on the present and future. The next few weeks are going to be very interesting. Can Dumars pull off a different deal involving Hamilton? What will coach John Kuester do with Hamilton in the short term -- keep him inactive? Off the bench? Back as a starter?
And worst-case scenario: No deal for Hamilton, and the Pistons have three months left in the season. Then it may be time to call in Dr. Phil for group therapy to restore trust.
It's all tricky stuff, for sure. But great stuff to watch as a reality show.
Jan. 19, 2011
