• Steve Nash (Suns to Lakers): This one has to be the biggest shocker this offseason. Pretty much everyone knew Nash would leave the desert, but not once did I hear the Lakers in the conversation. The Raptors, Knicks, and Mavericks had all shown interest, but eventually it was the ability to stay close to his children in Phoenix that helped ease the exit for Nash. Not all is bad for the Suns, though. They just drafted Kendall Marshall, arguably the top PG in the draft, and now have Los Angeles’ first-round picks in 2013 and 2015 and their second-round picks in 2013 and 2014. As a team likely in transition, those types of assets should prove helpful.
• Deron Williams (resigned by Nets): After toying with the idea of leaving Brooklyn, Williams took his money and stayed with the Nets. While $98.8 million over five years will help make that decision easier, it was the chance to play on the biggest stage (New York) at the newest, swankiest arena – the Barclays Center. The chance for endorsements also played a key role in the 28-year old’s decision to re-up with Brooklyn. While it’s not likely they’ll be able to get Dwight Howard anymore – the team also re-signed center Brook Lopez and forward Gerald Wallace to big contracts – getting Williams to return to the team was a huge coup for owner Mikhail Prokhorov and the entire organization.
• Joe Johnson (Hawks to Nets): The Nets go all in and attempt to create their own “Big Three” with this trade. Johnson was traded for five players and a 2017 draft pick, a pretty steep price for a 31-year old shooting guard who is a bit of a “chucker,” someone who is more about volume of shots and less about quality of shots. He’ll help the team, for sure, but will they become title contenders? It might take more than this move to achieve that.
• Blake Griffin (re-signed by Clippers): This one is important because it appears that star guard Chris Paul wants out of LA (for some reason); if Griffin had left at the end of his rookie contract, it would’ve undone all the progress made by the Clip Show this past season. In a bit of bad luck that only the Clippers would have, Griffin re-injured his left knee – the one he sprained in the playoffs – and has withdrawn from the Olympics. If the injury isn’t too serious, he should be able to rest and recover for the start of next season.
• Tim Duncan (re-signed by Spurs): I never once thought that San Antonio would let “Timmy” go elsewhere to likely finish out his career. The former #1 overall pick may be 36, but he has still been productive the past few seasons and will probably continue to be. Last season saw a 20-game winning streak (regular season and playoffs) come to a screeching halt against the red-hot Thunder, but the team will likely compete for a top seed again in 2012-13.
• Kevin Garnett (re-signed by Celtics): Unlike Ray Allen, who bolted for Miami, Garnett re-upped with Boston in the hopes of a few more playoff runs. While it remains to be seen if the team is actually capable of that, most people – myself included – figured that the team’s window had already shut, but they went to the Conference Finals last season. His production has gone down since his first year in Beantown, but I’m sure plenty of GMs would take his 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, not to mention his intensity, on their team.

These are just a small handful of moves that have occurred so far in the offseason, and I’ll continue with more posts in the next few days highlighting the best and worst offseason moves.

Looking at the available free agents for 2012, the list is long and varied, from All-Star point guards to journeymen looking to find one more team to join.

• Deron Williams: He has a player option for almost $18 million, which means he could easily stay in Brooklyn with the Nets and continue making a ton of money. More than likely he’ll stay there, but if he were to leave, I couldn’t see him coming to Detroit. They couldn’t match the money, they’re still rebuilding, and he would immediately push Knight to the bench.
• Steve Nash: Being one of the best PGs ever, I would love seeing Nash in a Pistons uniform. He would immediately improve the point guard play of the team and BK would learn immensely from him. He’s a great player, funny guy, and a good teammate. Unfortunately, he’s never won a championship and would probably be looking for his last chance at one when he becomes a free agent. That means no chance for a non-contender, a.k.a. Detroit right now. It looks like Miami is a very possible landing for Nash.
• Jason Kidd: Again, one of the best PGs ever to play the game. His knees aren’t what they used to be, but he still manages to play at a high level with the Dallas Mavericks. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent, meaning he could go anywhere he wants. I could easily see him retiring as a Maverick, though, so I doubt he comes to Detroit.
• Chauncey Billups: Every Pistons fan’s dream acquisition. He is coming off the Achilles injury of last season, and he’s in his 30s, but he showed last season that he can still play. He would also reconnect with plenty of the players on the roster, and his return could even sway Ben Wallace into staying one more year. My only reservation about him coming back to Detroit is that he may create even more of a logjam at the guard position. Like I said, he can still play at a good level, so it could possibly reduce Knight’s playing time.
• Derek Fisher: The longtime Laker is nearing the end of his career, something that would probably suit the Pistons well. He has won five NBA championships, so ending his career on a non-contending team might not be on his list of concerns. He’s still a great spot-up shooter, so having a low-post presence to command a double-team would be crucial to his success, but if the Pistons can further develop Greg Monroe and another big man via the draft or free agency, Fisher could really fill a veteran need for Detroit.
• Earl Boykins: The fact that a 5’5”, 133 pound point guard can stay in the league for 14 seasons amazes me. It also shows that clearly he knows the game of basketball. He’s a lifetime journeyman, having played for 10+ teams in his career, so playing for one more (and possibly final) team before he retires may not be a concern for Boykins. He wouldn’t be a flashy signing, but his scrappy play would immediately endear him to the Detroit fans who still remember the Mike James/Lindsey Hunter pairing of the 2004 team. It would also instill that hard-nosed style of play in the rest of Detroit’s guards.
• Mike James: Speaking of Mike James, he’s an unrestricted free agent for the Chicago Bulls this offseason. If they don’t renew his contract, I could see him making a return to Detroit. His best statistical years weren’t as a Piston, but his tenacious defense helped the team win their third NBA title in 2004. He’s played for more teams than Boykins, including several overseas, so clearly he’s okay with being on the move.
• Kirk Hinrich: The former Jayhawk is playing for the Hawks right now, but once the season is over, the Pistons would be smart to take a chance at acquiring Hinrich. He did make $8 million last season, so it would all depend on the asking price, but Hinrich has a career average of 5.6 assists per game, so he’s done well at the point guard position. He’s considered a pretty tough player, as well, which would fit in well with the last two mentioned players, Boykins and James.

These are just a few of the options that the Pistons could look at this offseason if they consider Prince’s point about the need for a veteran point guard valid. Here’s a list of available free agents. What do you think? Can the Pistons do better, or will they pick up another rookie guard in the draft?