Fri, Jan 21, 2005 at 8:00pm

ARROYO TO DEFENDING CHAMPS

The Detroit Pistons acquired guard Carlos Arroyo from the Utah Jazz for center Elden Campbell and a future first-round draft pick.

What does it give the Detroit Pistons
A little needed bench strength for another title run. The jury is still out on Arroyo, who started his NBA career looking like a journeyman but had a surprisingly nice run on last year's no-name Jazz. He also looked like a star running the show for the Puerto Rican national team over the summer, but the fact is he's never been surrounded by much talent on either team. Whether he has star ability or has just been a medium-sized fish in a small ponds is yet to be seen. And that won't be soon; He won't start in Motown unless something happens to either Chauncey Billups or Richard Hamilton.

What does it give the Utah Jazz
Some peace of mind, and a message sent to the whole team. Head coach Jerry Sloan is renowned for "playing the right way", and while Arroyo has some talent he wasn't a Sloan type of guy. His lack of defensive intensity and erratic drives to the bucket didn't remind Sloan of John Stockton, so it was off to Detroit for Arroyo after some very public feuding and benchings. Campbell is a solid big fella who just doesn't have the energy to be a starter anymore, and the pick isn't likely to be high. The big winner here is little Raul Lopez. A Spanish standout in Europe and a former first-rounder, Lopez has sneaky-sleeper talent and is the best bet to take over the point in Utah.

Fantasy impact

Player focus

Detroit Pistons

Carlos Arroyo G

Utah Jazz

Elden Campbell C/F

a future first-round draft pick