After finishing 25-41 in a strike-shortened season, the Pistons will have a lot of personnel decisions to make.
Here are my projections on the players on their roster and if they will be back for another season or not.
Ben Wallace- Won't be back. He'll likely retire and call it a career. He's done alot for the Pistons though. All the best to him.
Tayshaun Prince- As much as I'd like him to be gone, I have a feeling he will return next season. Pistons management feels he's a good guy to have in the clubhouse and is a good teammate for team chemistry. While I beg to differ in this case, only time will tell what happens.
Ben Gordon- Trade bait. I feel he was under-utilized last season. He'll be a good fit somewhere else if the price is right.
Charlie Villaneuva- Also trade bait. He seems intent on leaving and will likely be traded by the start of next season.
Vernon Macklin- Will be back. Needs a full year to develop his skills. Really didn't get much playing time during the season.
Jason Maxiell- Won't be back. His contract asking price may be too much for the Pistons to handle. He'll likely test the free agent market.
Greg Monroe- Definitely will be back. One of the few bright spots this season, expectations will be high for a player of his caliber next season.
Brandon Knight- Defintely will be back as well. He will have a chance to develop his skills as well as improve his playstyle.
Rodney Stuckey- Likely will return. He's a restricted free agent, but he has so much long-term potential that the Pistons might not want to give up.
Jonas Jerebko- Likely will return. He could be trade bait if a team is in need of another Power Forward, but he's coming off major surgery and rehab, and I don't know if anyone will want him.
Damien Wilkins- Should return next season. Made significant contributions off the bench. May be hard to keep him depending on who the Pistons draft this year.
Will Bynum- Will be back. He's young and very reliable off the bench. The Pistons will likely tender him a contract.
Austin Daye- Trade bait. Apparently he doesn't fit into the Pistons long-term plans.
Walker Russell- Won't be back. Likely will test free agent market.
All in all, only time will tell who stays and who goes for the Pistons, but I seem them to be very active in personnel changes come the offseason.
