So much for a homecoming. Just hours after the Pistons traded Jonas Jerebko and Gigi Datome to the Celtics to reacquire Tayshaun Prince, who spent 10-plus seasons in Detroit and was a key piece on their 2004 title team, chatter has already started that his return to the Motor City may not be for long.
From CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely:
Outside of a feel-good return, there isn’t much sense in Prince staying in Detroit. They may be a fringe playoff team, but they’re not a contender, and his minutes and roster spot would be better spent on the players who might help them going forward.
As for which teams might pursue Prince on the free-agent market should he get there, the Clippers are seen as the heavy favorite. They need wings, and even though Prince is past his prime, he fits the exact mold of players that Doc Rivers loves.
Between Prince and Kendrick Perkins, as well as the already-signed Amar’e Stoudemire, there are going to be some recognizable names on the buyout market. Not necessarily players who can help teams win, but names nonetheless.