If the Pistons’ trade for Kobe Bryant had been completed in 2007, Detroit would have been left without a proven small forward. Apparently, the Pistons had a plan, though. Vincent Goodwill of The Detroit News:
"Another league source said former Piston Grant Hill, who was a free agent that summer as a member of the Orlando Magic, would’ve likely returned to the Pistons to fill Prince’s void at small forward."
Hill was no longer the MVP-candidate-level player he was with the Pistons, but he could still play. Moves like these definitely would have kept the Pistons’ window to contend open longer.