Richard Hamilton benching helps Pistons start planning for future

Richard Hamilton didn't play for the third straight game Saturday night, the Pistons' second straight win, and they appear to be phasing him out. Whether Hamilton is traded Tuesday, Thursday or some point after that, the Pistons are preparing for life after Rip.

It happens. A lot of times it's not pretty, but it's necessary. With the way salaries are structured, players make more money at the end of their careers, when they're well past their prime. For a team like the Pistons, Hamilton's money, along with his falling production, make him a liability.

Greg Monroe and Austin Daye may not be household names yet, but they're talented. And learning on the job. Monroe is getting better every time he steps on the floor, and once the Pistons pair him with an athletic big who'll block shots while playing above the rim, he'll be that much better.

Daye was finding his footing before being yanked from the rotation and hopefully next season or perhaps later this season, they'll turn him loose.

Next year, Tayshaun Prince won't be here. He's playing well enough (14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, .494 field-goal percentage) to fetch serious interest among contenders this summer. Hopefully, the players have picked up on his savvy and intelligent court sense.

The veterans (Prince, Hamilton, Ben Wallace) have done their heavy lifting for this franchise and surely it hurts to see the team not have the success they're used to. It's on management and coaching to give the young players the opportunity to step into those big shoes, and on the players to seize the day.