It looks like the Pistons got a minor steal even if you believe that Bynum’s talent has plateaued at a career of being the “quick, pesky backup PG.” As others have written, the market in the NBA this season has been downright bananas. Even if you don’t count players taking their talents to South Beach, you have former Pistons disappointments Darko Milicic and Amir Johnson signing for deals worth $20 million and $34 million, respectively.

The market for point guards hasn’t been any less insane, with backups signing for between $4 and $6 million per year. Add to that, Joe Dumars’ propensity for giving his players lavish contracts in the past (Hamilton, McDyess, Maxiell, etc.), and I was a little worried. Rebuilding teams can’t overpay for marginal role players.

I’d say nabbing Bynum at an average of $3.5 million per season is a coup for Dumars. In fact, taking this news into account, and the fact that the Pistons were able to re-sign Ben Wallace for two years at less than $5 million total, and I would argue that the Pistons were one of the only teams in the NBA that was able to find BARGAINS this offseason.

Add to that, the fact that practically no players are left to try and lure with the mid level exception, which is playing with fire anyway (cough, Nazr), and another successful draft and I’d say the Pistons offseason has been an unmitigated success.

Of course, the biggest item on the docket remains, and that is finding a taker for either or both of Tayshaun Prince or Richard Hamilton in return for any size whatsoever.