It is disapointing, especially since there is no doubt in my mind that he could still put up good numbers if given a starting gig. Your right, the Pistons gig did alot more damage than I think anyone anticipated. If he had just sat out the entire year he would probably have been better off.
It's just a shame he hasn't been able to embrace a bench role (not surprising given he's been a star his whole career) because I'm sure there would be plenty of contenders interested in his services if he were happy with being a 6th man.