Dumars doesn’t have regrets about trading Billups to make Pistons a player in the future

Pistons’ Dumars hopes to make splash this summer

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — If Joe Dumars has any regrets about the way the Detroit Pistons fell apart this season, they’re too few to mention.

The Detroit Pistons president of basketball operations had a news conference Wednesday to reflect on how his team collapsed after trading Chauncey Billups and to look ahead to what he hopes is a promising future.

“It was just a season of inevitable change and inevitable pain,” Dumars said. “Although it was a tough year, we also knew it was a necessary process if you’re trying to position yourself to remain relevant.”

Dumars dealt Billups in November to Denver because Dumars didn’t think the Pistons would do anything more than win about 50 games and a playoff series or two.

That doesn’t do it for him.

Dumars also made the move to create playing time for second-year pro Rodney Stuckey and salary cap space to reshape the franchise this summer.

It turned out to be a bad move in the short term because Allen Iverson was a bad fit and the Pistons played like strangers.

Now, it’s up to Dumars to make the unpopular trade pan out for the Pistons in the future.

With about $20 million to spend and four draft picks, Dumars hopes to make a splash in free agency or on the trading market.

“I’m not just looking for a couple complementary players,” he said.

Dumars wants an impact player, or two, who makes plays in the fourth quarters of big games.

Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon, who is eligible to be a free agent, seems to fit the description.

But if the Pistons signed Gordon away from another Central Division team, they might have to trade shooting guard Richard Hamilton to make room for him.

Dumars didn’t address what players he might want to add or which ones he might want to trade away, but insisted none of his players are untouchable.

“I have to keep all options open and on the table,” he said.

As expected, Dumars confirmed Michael Curry will be back on the bench for a second season after a rough rookie year as a head coach.

The Pistons will have the 15th pick in the NBA draft and three selections in the second round, which coupled with a lot of salary cap space, should keep Dumars busy.

“It makes you a prime candidate to start business before July 1,” he said.

The Pistons have gone to work this time of year for the previous seven years, advancing to at least the Eastern Conference finals in the previous six seasons and winning an NBA title.

The Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers are the only other franchise to play in six straight conference finals since 1970-71, when teams had to win two series to advance that far.

“The run we’ve had here has been a great run,” Dumars said. “In the business of pro sports, it’s inevitable that you have to make some tough decisions.”