While it’s premature to think that the Pistons might have a Hall of Famer on their roster right now, considering a large core of the team is still under 30, it’s not unlikely. Whether they make it because of offense, defense or other reasons, here are the current Pistons that could make it to Springfield.

Ben Wallace

Wallace’s actual roster spot on the 2012 Pistons is still unsure of, considering his back-and-forth stance on retiring after last season. As of right now, the team has a full roster and unless a trade is made or someone is released, Wallace might have to follow through with his retirement plans. Once he does go, however, his place in NBA history should be solid. Despite going undrafted in 1996, Wallace came to Detroit in 2000 and went on to become one of the most feared defenders in the last decade, using his athleticism, instincts and fearlessness to oppose anyone who came into the paint.

Credentials for:

• NBA Champion (2004)
• 4-time NBA All-Star (2003-2006)
• 4-time Defensive Player of the Year (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)
• 5-time All-NBA First Defensive Team, 1-time All-NBA Second Team
• 3-time All-NBA Second Team, 2-time All-NBA Third Team
• 2002 and 2003 regular season leader in rebounds per game (13.0, 15.4)
• 2002 regular season leader in blocks per game (3.5)
• 2001 and 2003 regular season leader in total rebounds (1,052; 1,026)
• 2001 regular season leader in total defensive rebounds (749)
• 2003 and 2006 regular season leader in total offensive rebounds (293, 301)
• 2002 regular season leader in total blocks (278)

While his offensive game is nowhere near good enough to get Hall of Fame consideration, his defensive abilities are unparalleled, especially considering his NBA beginnings.

Jonas Jerebko

Jerebko is a unique example of a possible Hall of Famer on Detroit’s current roster. He is a former second-round pick who has been in the league for just three seasons, sporting career averages of 9.0 points on 47.5% shooting and 5.5 rebounds. His ticket to Springfield might not be his statistical achievements, but moreso his cultural influence.

When the Pistons selected him in 2009, the 6’10” forward became just the second Swedish-born basketball player ever drafted; Miles Simon is the first, but he played in just five total games with the Orlando Magic in 1998. He should be an integral part of the Pistons future, giving him plenty of opportunities to accumulate stats. He has also become a focal point for the Swedish national team, with which he has already earned 10 caps (appearances) despite playing professionally for just seven years.

If basketball continues to spread around the world, especially into Sweden, Jerebko could very well be the reason why. Much like Drazen Petrovic in the early 1990s, younger players could see Jerebko in the NBA and strive to follow in his footsteps, turning him into an ambassador of basketball in Sweden.

Greg Monroe

Monroe is arguably the most offensively-skilled big man that the Pistons have had since Bill Laimbeer and it’s only his second season in the league. The former Georgetown center saw increases in nearly every statistical category last season: he averaged 15.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 2011, compared to 9.4/7.5/1.3 in 2010, his rookie year. Those stats were good for a fifth-place finish in the 2012 Most Improved Player of the Year, including 10 first-place votes.

If he can continue to make strides in his game – every indication says he should – he’ll begin to garner more and more credibility in the league. He definitely needs to up his defensive skills, as he has only blocked 91 shots in 146 games thus far in his career (good for a 0.6 career average). Being 6’11” and 250, he should be a better defensive player, but that will come with time and coaching.

Chris Webber, a player who had a similar high-post game like Monroe’s, is a solid example of what Monroe could be in the NBA, at least statistically. Webber never averaged many blocks or steals, but is considered one of the better offensive big men of the last decade and a half. Watching Monroe, you can see many of the same qualities that allowed Webber to have such success in the league.

Tayshaun Prince

Prince’s chances at making the Hall of Fame rely heavily on a four- or five-year span in the mid-2000′s, when he played a big role in the Pistons’ 2004 NBA Championship. Much like Ben Wallace, his career offensive numbers were never eye-popping (12.9 points, 46% shooting, 2.7 assists). His defensive averages (0.6 blocks per game, 0.6 steals per game and 4.7 rebounds per game) aren’t amazing either, but his lanky frame and long arms helped him become one of the best defenders in the Pistons’ six-year run of Eastern Conference dominance. Before his stellar defense on Kobe Bryant helped Detroit win it’s first title since 1990, this single play defined Tayshaun Prince’s defensive abilities:

Credentials for Prince’s Hall of Fame case also include:

• 2004 NBA Champion
• 2008 Olympic Gold Medal
• 4-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2004-2008)

What do you think? Could any current Pistons make the Hall of Fame?

Ben Wallace

The 37-year old veteran forward said before last season that he was planning to retire. In the final home game of the season, his teammates even showed their appreciation for him by wearing the trademark blue headband. While his stats have diminished greatly in the last few years, his presence on the team was great for both team morale and for the younger players to learn from.

This summer, though, the 16-year pro decided he wasn’t quite done, and he’s apparently still 50-50 on whether to return to Detroit. Unfortunately for him, the team just signed rookie Khris Middleton to a contract, putting them at the league maximum of 15 players.

While they could trade or release another player on the team, there isn’t a really likely candidate for that. Corey Maggette, Will Bynum, Charlie Villanueva and possibly Jason Maxiell are the only players who might be worthy, but with all of their contracts coming off the books next season – giving the Pistons lots of salary cap space – why get rid of them now?

An interesting option arose recently for Wallace, though. Panathinaikos B.C. (Basketball Club) has expressed interest in the 6’9” forward, hoping to bring another NBA player to their squad. They currently have two players on their roster with previous NBA experience: Roko Ukic (Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks) and Andy Panko (Atlanta Hawks). Sofoklis Schortanitis, who was drafted by the Clippers in 2003 but has yet to play in the Association, is also on the team.

Panathinaikos has plenty of room for Wallace, who could immediately start for “The Greens.” The biggest problem for them, however, is whether or not Big Ben would consider actually donning their jersey. If no other options are available by the time the season begins, it’s likely that Wallace will finally retire.

Vernon Macklin

The second-year pro from Florida didn’t see much time as a rookie last year, averaging just six minutes a game as he adjusted to the NBA. He didn’t play more than 10 minutes until the fifth-to-last game in the season, but when he did play (23 minutes vs. Atlanta), he scored eight points, grabbed nine boards and dished out two assists. Not eye-popping stats, but for someone who wasn’t part of head coach Lawrence Frank’s rotation, something positive. He played 14 minutes in another end-of-the-season game and finished with six points and six rebounds.

Unfortunately for the 6’10” forward, his exclusion from the Pistons roster this season was simply a matter of numbers. With five other players on the roster who can play his position, Macklin was the odd man out, as Detroit opted to stick with the higher-upside forwards Greg Monroe, Jonas Jerebko, Andre Drummond and Austin Daye. Charlie Villanueva was left on the roster more than likely because his contract will be a valuable asset next season.

Despite five other teams (Nets, Lakers, Bucks, Suns and Blazers) supposedly having interest in Macklin, he decided to sign with Gaziantep, a Turkish-based basketball club. He reportedly chose to play in Turkey so he could display his talents in live-game action, instead of training camp.

Khris Middleton

The newest Pistons rookie, Middleton officially signed his contract with the team four days ago. Being the last rookie to sign a deal for Detroit this summer, there was speculation as to whether or not he would make the team for 2012, or develop in the D-League. His signing essentially completes the Pistons’ offseason moves – he’s now the 15th player on the roster.

While it’s unlikely that Middleton becomes a consistent contributor in his first season as a Piston, it’s not impossible for him to become a reliable option within a few years. With aging veterans Corey Maggette and Tayshaun Prince and fellow rookie Kyle Singler the only small forwards on the team, Middleton could be a starter or heavily-used backup at the position soon enough.

The former Texas A & M Aggie’s best collegiate season came in 2010-11, when the then-sophomore averaged 14.4 points on 45.2% shooting while also grabbing 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals. His junior year number’s slightly decreased (13.2, 5.0, 1.0 respectively), but he was playing with a season-long knee injury. The skills he does have, though – scoring off the dribble and a high release on shots – should translate to the NBA, meaning he could become an important offensive piece for Detroit.

Middleton is the fifth rookie on the squad, just the ninth time in team history that five rookies have played on a Detroit team. In fact, the last time they did it in 1980, Corey Maggette was just a year old and Prince was just months old. The rest of the team’s roster wouldn’t even be born for another three years.

While it remains to be seen just how much they will all play, the amount of rookies of this team is a sign that Joe Dumars and company is finally committed to the rebuilding process. With the quick maturation of Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe thus far, however, that process might not take as long as it has for some of the league’s more downtrodden franchises.