What will the Pistons Rotation Look Like?

Ever since Detroit's title run in 2004, Joe Dumars' roster management of the Pistons has been putrid. They have an unbalanced roster of young players who need playing time to develop, former washed up stars, and championship caliber starters. Looking at their roster, it's difficult to know who is going to get playing time this season. Pistons are in a state of limbo. While they aren't good enough to contend in the East, they also aren't bad enough to get a high lottery pick. Let's take a look at the Pistons' depth chart.

PG - The heir apparent and a suitable backup

• Rodney Stuckey (above)- Chauncey Billups was traded so Stuckey could be the PG of the future. He has shown improvement every year, and averaged a career high 16 points last year. This summer he has been working on his outside shot.
• Will Bynum- Signed this summer to be Stuckey's backup and will do a fine job. He had a 20 assist game last season!
  

SG - Here's where things get sticky. The Pistons have 3 SG who all are going to want to play 30 minutes a night/start.

• Tracy McGrady - Signed this off season, the former All Star and scoring champ is desperate to resurrect his career. Based on his unwillingness to be a role player with the Bulls tells me he expects to play 25-30 minutes a night and be a focal part of the offense.
• Richard Hamilton - Started on Detroit's 2004 championship team and has been one of the most consistent players in the league for the past decade. He quietly hated coming off the bench behind Allen Iverson. As one of the longest tenured Pistons, he will expect to start and play at least 30 minutes a night. The his huge contract makes him nearly untradeable.
  
• Ben Gordon - The former 6th man of the year was Joe Dumars' prized acquisition in 2009, but averaged a career-low 13.8 points last year. While he's used to coming off the bench, it doesn't make much sense to pay someone $12 mil a year to play only 20-25 minutes.

SF - At the 3 Detroit has 2 young players who need burn and a savvy vet who expects to get minutes.

• Tayshaun Prince - A lifelong Piston, Prince was a starter on the Championship team. He hasn't played less than 32 mpg since his rookie season, and in a contract year needs to put up numbers to be rewarded with another long-term deal. Look for him to be traded at the deadline in order to give the following players minutes.
• Austin Daye - The 15th overall pick in the 2009 draft is a spitting image of Prince and has a lot of upside. Unfortunately, he only played 13 mpg his rookie year. If he is going to reach his potential, he needs to see the court.
• DaJuan Summers - The Piston's 2nd round pick in 2009 is a bench player for life. Still, it would be nice to see him play more than 9 mpg and find a niche.

PF - The Pistons have the same situation at PF as they do at SF

• Charlie Villanueva - CV was signed to a 5 year, $40 mil deal after averaging 16 points with the Bucks in 2009. Last season he struggled and only averaged 11.8 points. CV likes to lurk along the arc and is soft inside. He also has the ability to play SF, but struggles on D. At $8 mil per season, you would think he should be starting and getting a lot of playing time.
  
• Greg Monroe - The Georgetown star was the 7th overall pick and has the potential to be a cornerstone of the franchise. With this status, Monroe will definitely get consistent playing time, but whose minutes will be taken away?
  
• Jonas Jerebko (right) - In his rookie year, the Swede surprised everyone with his scrappy, determined play. He earned himself a starting gig and played 28 mpg while averaging 9 points and 6 rebounds. With Monroe on board and CV fully healthy, his playing time will most likely go down, which is a shame. However, he might see some time at C.

C - Some of the Pistons PFs will likely play out of position at C because of their l

• Ben Wallace - He hasn't retired yet? Wallace was the heart and soul of the Pistons when they were making their perennial championship runs. After playing with the Bulls and Cavs for a few seasons, Wallace returned home to Detroit to finish out his career. At 36 years old, he should start but also serve as a defensive tutor for Jerebko and Monroe.
• Jason Maxiell - Maxiell is undersized but strong and feisty. A career backup, last year's 20 mpg ought to decrease with Monroe in the mix and Jerebko proving to be a legit player.
• Chris Wilcox - The former Maryland star had all the tools, but had regressed into an ineffective big man.
  

As you can see, there is a huge jam at the SG and SF positions. Appeasing proven vets with playing time while allowing the Pistons youngsters to develop will prove to be a sticky situation for coach Jon Kuester. GM Joe Dumars has really dug himself into a hole by signing Hamilton, Gordon, and Villanueva to such large contracts. All three are difficult to trade, will not make the Pistons contenders, and hinder the younger players' development.