McCosky: Dumars, Pistons have more work to do

AUBURN HILLS -- OK, what now?

The Pistons have agreements in place with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. They have, probably a 50-50 chance of re-signing Antonio McDyess.

They have three promising rookies -- Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko -- though none that are expected to contribute much next season.

They have three potent scoring guards in Gordon, Richard Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey and an established and versatile small forward in Tayshaun Prince.

The closest thing to a true point guard is Will Bynum.

As far as legitimate post players, besides Villanueva (a more lethal perimeter player than post threat), they have Kwame Brown and Jason Maxiell.

Oh, and they don't have a head coach or coaching staff.

Start there: Joe Dumars is probably going to hire former Dallas Mavericks head coach Avery Johnson soon, now that Doug Collins has withdrawn from consideration. It is likely that current assistants Darrell Walker and Pat Sullivan will be retained.

Now back to the roster.

Rumors persist that Dumars may trade either Hamilton or Prince for another, more post-oriented big man. The Jazz would consider sending Carlos Boozer and his expiring contract ($12.6 million) to the Pistons for Hamilton -- though his three-year, $35 million extension may give them pause.

Dumars has said on more than one occasion that he wasn't thrilled with that prospect. For now, the plan is to keep Hamilton and feature the potent three-guard attack. But if McDyess signs elsewhere, Dumars may have to use his trade chips.

It's hard to imagine the Pistons starting the season with Brown, Maxiell and Villanueva as their primary big men. Defensive rebounds would be scarce.

Regardless, it is clear the new version of the Pistons will in no way resemble the teams from 2003-2008. This is going to be a team built on length, athleticism and versatility. It is going to play faster and be more offensive oriented. It is going to feature legitimate scoring threats at four positions.

It's a team seemingly a better fit for the way the game is being played now. Even though Cleveland and Boston had some stingy defensive numbers last season, once the playoffs started, scoring went up. The games were being played in the upper 90s and early-100s. The days of beating teams 89-87 are over. Because of rules modifications, teams can't play the rugged defense the Pistons and Spurs played earlier in this decade.

You need power forwards with skill, 6-10 guys that can score on the outside as well as create off the dribble. You need guards that can penetrate and you need scorers on the wings who can spread the defense.

Mostly, you need proven scorers who can get their shots anywhere on the court against any kind of defense at any time in the game. In Gordon, the Pistons have that guy.

So, the roster is by no means complete. There are holes, gaping holes, in the frontcourt. The team is, at least on paper, weaker defensively. But, all things considered, it was not a bad first day for Dumars and his rebuilding plan.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com">chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489