$12,650,000.00 is the amount of money that Richard Hamilton will make this season next season and even in 2012-13 regardless where he plays. Now usually when a NBA team has a player with a contract like that he is their marquee guy. Hamilton at the start of the season was still the Pistons "poster boy", now 41 games into the season Rip has found a nice comfortable seat on the bench. How could a player on a team that isn't making any sudden runs to the playoffs not play a minute without being injured? Well it's easy he is being traded… Not so fast, Rip is still wearing the Pistons home red, white and blue but that would be the color of his warm up, maybe he doesn't even put his jersey on underneath knowing that he will not play. Why is Rip not playing? Does he suck? Maybe he isn't very well conditioned? Maybe John Kuester just doesn't like him? Well I would have to say it is all up to Kuester. I have no idea how anyone who has watched this Pistons team over the last 3 years could say that Rip shouldn't be on the court. Austin Daye seems to make his way on to the court; yes I know he is young and could develop, with saying that I haven't seen it yet. Richard Hamilton has been on the Pistons since the 2002-03 season. Since his first season with the Pistons Rip has averaged a high of 20.1 and a low of 17.3 ppg. Those are solid numbers for a player to make 12.6 million a year right? Well in this day and age in the NBA it's right on par. What happens if the Pistons can't get into the Melo deal and be able to ship Rip off for a pair of Levis and some Converse? Sit him for the remainder of his deal? Why not just release him and let DaJuan Summers dress, hell maybe even suit up Hooper he can do just as much as Rip is right now. If Rip doesn't get traded this season I don't think that Joe Dumars will be able to ship such a big contract for a player who can't do anything more then come off of a screen according to many of the NBA big wigs. Play Rip, what do you have to lose? More games? Well the Pistons have already lost 26 half way through the season. Can someone please explain why 12.6 million is rotting away in some nice snap pants and a silky Adidas shirt?