Let people around here tell it, Pistons small forward Tayshaun Prince, if traded, could get you a more than serviceable big man.

That's about as accurate a statement as this: "Oh, no! White Castle doesn't give you bubble guts at all!"

Pistons fans and pundits have been pining for a big man who commands a double team since Bob Lanier left town. They think Prince, who has two years and about $21.5 million left on his contract, can be moved for a big who would allow Detroit to play 5-on-5 on the offensive end instead of the 5-on-4 they've been playing for the better part of a decade.

That talk has gotten stronger since Prince, in his eighth NBA season, all with Detroit, has missed the team's last four games with a ruptured disk in his back, which will keep him sidelined indefinitely. With the drafting of 17 small forwards this past June (OK, it was really three), Prince's injury has given those rookies, most notably Jonas Jerebko and Austin Daye, a chance to earn PT.

Jerebko, the 39th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, has taken Prince's place in the starting line-up up to this point. Jerebko has played 24 minutes a night since Tayshaun went down. His numbers have gotten better with each start. He has also become more comfortable out on the court and more aggressive on offense. Daye has averaged about 14 minutes a game in Detroit's last four. He's shown flashes, as well.

I knew something was up when Pistons GM Joe Dumars drafted three guys who play the same position as Prince (12 points, 5 boards a game in three games this season). Those moves would lead anyone to believe Tayshaun was on the block. Drafting that many players who fit the same mold as Prince would also lead some to think there is a market for Prince, but there isn't. Not for what Dumars will be asking.

The most logical - and most talked about - deal for Prince seems to be a 1-for-1 deal that would bring Central Michigan alum and Grand Rapids native Chris Kaman home to Detroit. The move would allow Prince, from Compton, to go home, as well.

The deal makes sense on the surface. The contracts of the two players are close enough where no other players would have to be added in the deal. Both players would get a new start. Kaman (21.9 points, 9.4 rebounds in 2009-10) has one more year and about $12 million on his contract, but he would just be reaching 30 years old at the end of the deal.

I should have phrased that different. The deal makes sense for the Pistons. Not the Clippers, or any other team Detroit would be looking to deal with.

Kaman is the best center the Clippers have ever had. Him being able to do more than move all his limbs saved jobs after the debacle that was Michael Olowokandi. Kaman's numbers haven't been great. His career averages of 10.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks don't jump out at you, but he's one of maybe six TRUE centers in the NBA who's a threat to get a double-double every night while commanding a double team.

The Clippers are third-worst franchise in sports (number one plays at Brush and Montcalm downtown and number two is owned by the Cryptkeeper). It's worth a shot because the talk between Dumars and Clippers GM Mike Dunleavy could go something like this:

Dumars: "Hey, Mike. I got a logjam at small forward. Any way I can get Chris Kaman off your hands?"

Dunleavy: "Chris Kaman? Oh, my starting center. Um...he's pretty good. And one more brainfart of a move could cost me my gig."

Dumars: "Yea. I understand that, but we really, really need a big man."

Dunleavy: "I don't know, Joe. We already have Al Thornton and we're not looking to take on anymore money."

Dumars: "Oh, but his deal is up after next season. He's long, a plus defender, gives you scoring, can guard different positions. I think you know him."

Dunleavy: "Do I!!! I'll take him. I didn't even know Scottie Pippen was still around!!!"

Dunleavy isn't even that dumb. You're going to trade a bonafide big man for a guy who isn't even gonna start for you? That's career suicide, especially for somebody like Dunleavy who already isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.

There's not that many true bigmen in the league anymore and unless a team is in severe financial trouble, no GM in his right mind would trade his center for a small forward unless that small forward's name is LeBron.

I'm not saying there's nothing you can get for Tayshaun. Can I interest you in Eddy Curry? He works about as hard at his job as the people who work the drive-thru at the Wendy's by my house. How do you feel about Samuel Dalembert. Six points and 6 boards a game...for $12 million/year.

Detroit's best bet is to find a big through the draft. That may take some time, though, because there aren't many great big men coming out in the next couple years. (Really) early mock drafts have the first big man, Kansas center Cole Aldrich, going number 5 to Golden State.

That same mock has the Pistons, at number 12, taking...Ohio State small forward Evan Turner.

Maybe Detroit could be the first squad to field a squad of guys 6'4" to 6'8."