Guard Richard Hamilton, a mainstay during the Pistons' run of six consecutive conference finals appearances, is upset with his role on the team and has become a distraction, team sources said.
Hamilton's non-participation in Saturday's practice, along with his upset stomach that caused him to miss Sunday's game and complaints about his diminished role have led some in the organization to wonder if Hamilton has quit on the Pistons.
"He quit on us," one team source said. Another team source said Hamilton is acting out of emotion and should adjust.
Hamilton's been on the trading block for two years, and he would like a change of scenery.
And, on Sunday, just before a game against the New Orleans Hornets, Hamilton, who was replaced in the starting lineup over the weekend by Ben Gordon, told the team he had an upset stomach and could not play. After the game, a number of people associated with the team questioned his "upset stomach."
Team president Joe Dumars has said he is having trouble making deals because the team is for sale, but if Hamilton doesn't take coming off the bench well, the situation could become untenable. With the recent trades around the league, it shows the market is opening up.
"If I need to have a long talk with him, I will," Dumars said Monday on WDFN. "I'll see how Rip is doing tomorrow when he gets in here. Rip's been good for me."
Hamilton has had an inconsistent season, his worst since coming to Detroit in 2002. He has three years remaining on his contract at $12.6 million per season.
Hamilton is averaging 26.4 minutes and 13.6 points, but at times has appeared disinterested on the court.
He also has been ejected three times for technical fouls.
The Pistons thought Hamilton could be the bridge between the contending teams of the last decade and the next era, but those carefully laid plans seem to have gone up in smoke.
Hamilton's emotions have fluctuated since playmaker Chauncey Billups was traded, and he's been more unpredictable this season.
While Hamilton, 32, has shown some flashes, he's more likely to get ejected early than to score 20 points in a game. As seamless as his transition was when he was traded from Washington to Detroit nine years ago, he has had trouble dealing with the Pistons' present transition.
Hamilton balked at coming off the bench in 2009, and insisted on starting immediately last season when returning from injury, rather than allowing himself to be gradually eased back into the rotation.
Gordon, his replacement on Sunday, responded with one of his strongest showings since becoming a Piston. His 3-pointer sent the game into overtime, and he looked like the player the Pistons thought they were getting when they signed him as a free agent last season.
Afterward, words like "professionalism", "energy" and "effort" were used by players.
While no one criticized Hamilton, it was clear the team had a different vibe after Friday's embarrassing loss to the Clippers.
"It's amazing what you can do when you compete," Kuester said. "Sometimes you can't wait for people's motors to get going."
Kuester has given Hamilton numerous opportunities this season, but it hasn't translated into production. Hamilton is shooting a career-low 41 percent.
Your Nuggets get a half decent SG/SF for a few years, salary relief in Curry's expiring deal, and then either sign the other two to extensions (I know Stuckey is restricted next year, I think Chandler is to?) or let them go.
