The Pistons didn’t expect their rookies to play that much this season due to the fact that they have a lot of veterans on the roster. But, Jonas Jerebko has sure been playing a lot at power forward this season for the Pistons. He has played in 53 games (46 starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 27.2 minutes, 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Small forward Austin Daye has been so-so this season for the Pistons. Daye has played in 45 games (2 starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 12.8 minutes, 4.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Forward DaJuan Summers has not gotten much playing time this season for the Pistons. Summers has played in 24 games (0 starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 8.6 minutes, 2.5 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.3 assists per game.

When the Pistons signed Ben Gordon they were expecting 20 points per night out of him. But he has been banged up all year long and it has hurt his play. Gordon has played in 32 games (14 starts) this season and he is averaging 29.8 minutes, 15.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. The Pistons really need to get Gordon healthy and get the ball in his hands as they are not a good offensive basketball team.

Turn the clock back to the 2003 NBA Draft when the Pistons had the second pick of the first round that they used to select Darko Milicic. Milicic went on to play in 96 games (2 starts) for the Pistons in which he averaged 5.8 minutes, 1.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. Milicic has now played in 345 games (98 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 17.0 minutes, 5.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Instead of Milicic the Pistons could have drafted Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade who went 3,4,5 in the draft. Anthony has played in 483 games (all starts) for the Nuggets in his career and he is averaging 36.3 minutes, 24.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Chris Bosh has played in 490 games (478 starts) for the Raptors in his career and he is averaging 37.0 minutes, 20.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Dwyane Wade has played in 445 games (437 starts) for the Heat in his career and he is averaging 37.7 minutes, 25.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game. If the Pistons would have drafted Anthony, Bosh or Wade they would not be in the shape that they are right now.

The Pistons would be smart to continue rebuilding by moving Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince at the trade deadline in a couple of weeks. Hamilton has played in 20 games (all starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 36.0 minutes, 18.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. But he is only shooting 39.9% from the floor and 25% from three point range as he is starting to be a little more selfish with the basketball. Tayshaun Prince has played in 15 games (all starts) for the Pistons this season and he is averaging 32.1 minutes, 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He is only shooting 41.2% from the floor, 26.7% from three point range and 64% from the free throw line this year. Lucky for the Pistons that Prince is still playing solid defense which has been his calling card his whole career. The Pistons will likely be looking for young players and draft picks as well as expiring contracts in return for this pair of veterans.

The Pistons have the feeling that the more power forward Jason Maxiell plays the less effective he becomes. He has played in 44 games (15 starts) this season and he is averaging 17.3 minutes, 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Maxiell doesn’t keep in the best shape which is likely the cause for him wearing down in games. It seems like Maxiell won’t get a chance to be a starter full-time in Detroit any time soon.