"One Piston noticeably absent from the first day of training camp was restricted free-agent guard Rodney Stuckey.

After it looked like the Pistons would have all their free agents signed and in camp, Pistons president Joe Dumars had his hands full with Stuckey's agent, Leon Rose, as well as the agent for Richard Hamilton.

"We're going through (Stuckey's) first negotiation," Dumars said. "So, ironically, I've been on the phone with Leon Rose. So, first things first (Hamilton)."

"The Rip thing took hours and hours to get to. We're going to get together late tonight, back on the phone and pick up with Stuckey."

By all accounts, the Pistons consider Stuckey a top priority, especially after getting Jonas Jerebko and Tayshaun Prince signed before camp started. It could mean the Pistons won't deviate much from their original offer.

Usually, Dumars gets free-agency deals done expeditiously. Chauncey Billups quickly signed with the Pistons in 2002."