The Detroit Pistons are looking at unrestricted free agents Ben Gordon, formally of the Chicago Bulls, and Charlie Villanueva, formally of the Milwaukee Bucks, as their primary targets in free agency.
Both players are visiting the team facilities today and it is possible that both ink long-term deals by the end of the day.
Signing Gordon, 26, and Villanueva, 24, will likely signify the beginning of a rebuilding process that centers around combo guard Rodney Stuckey. Detroit’s previous core consisted of Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups, but now that Billups has been traded and Wallace has become a free agent, the two stars left in Prince and Billups are quickly passing the prime of their careers.
While Prince and Hamilton have a few years left until they are completely useless (29 and 31 years of age respectively), the Pistons have already gotten a replacement for Prince via draft in Austin Daye and Gordon would be able to start at shooting guard for Rip as soon as next season. Hamilton dealt with coming off the bench for AI last season well, so I imagine he could do it again this season.
I am sure the Pistons are now regretting trading Amir Johnson, because a front court with Daye, Prince, Villanueva and Johnson as a project could have done well in the future, but that is a small gripe and the move did free up cap space that will help sign Gordon and Villanueva.
[...] Pistons Targetting Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva [...]