Pistons News

Don't pencil Avery Johnson in as Pistons coach
Comment
July 4
Detroit News
 
"It is in no way a sure bet Avery Johnson will be the next coach of the Pistons. That became clear early Friday when president Joe Dumars indicated his coaching search still was open. Dumars said Johnson still was being considered, but that it was "not a given" that he was going to be hired. But ESPN.com reported Johnson is going to meet Sunday with Dumars on Sunday at Johnson's Houston home. Johnson is an ESPN analyst. Doug Collins withdrew from consideration Wednesday, leaving Johnson, the former coach of the Mavericks, and Cavaliers assistant John Kuester on Dumars' original short list. As of Friday morning, the Pistons have not asked the Cavaliers for permission to speak with ..."
Dumars plans to meet with Johnson regarding coaching vacancy
Comment
July 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"ESPN's Mark Stein is reporting that Pistons president Joe Dumars is scheduled to have a face-to-face meeting with Avery Johnson this weekend. The two have already talked on the phone and now plan on discussing the job at Johnson's Houston home, according to the report. The report also states that Dumars would like to have the Pistons' new coach in place by the time summer-league play begins next week in Las Vegas."
Allen Iverson a later-rather-than-now issue for Heat
Comment
July 3
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"To a degree, an Allen Iverson-Heat marriage makes sense. For years, Pat Riley has run a last-chance saloon. But it's not going to happen the first week of free-agent negotiations. It's not going to happen at the July 8 start of the free-agent signing period. And it's not going to happen until after the July 12 window opens for Dwyane Wade to be eligible to sign an extension. Iverson makes sense because Iverson may not have many other options. But until the Knicks spend their mid-level exception, until Larry Brown gets an official rejection from Bobcats management, and until the remaining precious little cap space around the league is spent, Iverson doesn't have to move to Plan B. ..."
Wallace offered contract
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July 3
Boston Globe
 
"The Celtics are putting a full-court press on Rasheed Wallace. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce joined president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck for a three-hour meeting with Wallace in Detroit yesterday, the Celtics offering a contract using their midlevel exception. But Wallace is apparently in no hurry to respond, preferring to weigh approaches from Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando, and San Antonio, according to an NBA source. Bill Strickland, Wallace's agent, said in a text message that it was a "very good meeting; some contractual terms discussed, nothing agreed to.'' Strickland added Wallace will be "meeting with a few more teams next ..."
C's press for Rasheed Wallace
Comment
July 3
Boston Herald
 
"The Celtics' hopes are now obvious. Rasheed Wallace is Plan A. The other free agents on their list are strictly Plan B. With the Big Three lending their considerable clout to the recruitment process, a large Celtics delegation visited the 7-foot free agent in Detroit yesterday afternoon and wasted no time in offering him a contract, according to two well-placed league sources close to the negotiations. According to both sources, the C's have offered Wallace a two-year contract for the $5.8 million mid-level exception. Danny Ainge, the team's executive director of basketball operations, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, coach Doc Rivers and co-owner Wyc Grousbeck were all on hand for ..."
Avery Johnson is Pistons' lead candidate
Comment
July 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars needs to get moving if he wants to have a coach in place by the time the team leaves for play in the Las Vegas summer league next week. Former Pistons coach Doug Collins withdrew his name from consideration, which would appear to open the door for former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson. Collins told ESPN.com late Wednesday night that he thanked Dumars for the consideration, but he would remain an analyst for TNT. Johnson appears to be the front-runner to replace Michael Curry, who was suddenly fired Tuesday on the eve of the NBA's free-agency period. Dumars has said he wants an experienced coach to lead the Pistons as he tries to ..."
Allen Iverson made $28.9 million in 2009
Comment
July 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"The economy, it seems, took a chunk out of the country's highest-paid athletes this year. According to Sports Illustrated, which released its annual compilation of the 50 richest sports stars, the average earnings of those on the list dropped $1.5 million from a year ago. Not surprising, Tiger Woods remains at the top -- he made $99,737,626 despite missing much of the season because of knee surgery and despite losing Buick as a sponsor. Fellow PGA Tour golfer Phil Mickelson kept his No. 2 spot from a year ago with the tidy sum of $52,950,356. Both Woods and Mickelson earned far more in endorsements than winnings, a pattern that doesn't hold in team sports -- except for LeBron James, whose ..."
Ben Gordon says Bulls never made offer
Comment
July 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"A day after jumping to Detroit, Ben Gordon told a Chicago radio station today that the Bulls never made a contract offer even though general manager Gar Forman claimed re-signing him was their No. 1 priority. "I mean they didn't pursue me at all. They didn't even make an offer so it was pretty much a one-man race," Gordon told ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. Gordon agreed to a five-year deal worth $50-plus million with the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday after leading the Bulls in scoring the past four seasons. Under league rules, that deal can't be announced until next week. The Detroit Free Press reported the five-year deal is worth $55 million. Gordon and the Bulls had tried to negotiate ..."
Rodney Stuckey eager to be leader
Comment
July 3
Detroit News
 
"Rodney Stuckey's team got dramatically younger, and now the soon-to-be third-year guard said he is ready to become the leader of the Pistons. On Wednesday, the Pistons agreed to deals with two free agents: shooting guard Ben Gordon, 26, and power forward Charlie Villanueva, 24. "I have no choice," Stuckey, 23, said Thursday. "I just have to do it. The sooner I accept that role the better I will be as a player and as an individual. "I think next year is going to be a lot more leadership because I am the point guard and I am going to have the ball in my hand and stuff like that. The group of guys we will have next year will be listening. So I am ready for that." But the signings weren't ..."
Celtics make offer to Wallace
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July 3
Boston Herald
 
"A Celtics [team stats] delegation, spearheaded by the Big Three, met with Rasheed Wallace this afternoon in Detroit, according to two well-placed league sources close to the negotiations, and offered the free agent center a contract. According to both sources, the C's have offered Wallace a two-year contract for the $5.8 million mid-level exception. Danny Ainge, the team's executive director of basketball operations, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce [stats], coach Doc Rivers and co-owner Wyc Grousbeck were all on hand for the Celtics. Garnett, long a Wallace admirer, has reportedly jumped into the process as a passionate recruiter - clearly stirred by what the 7-footer can contribute ..."
College teammates to be reunited with Pistons
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July 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars rolled up his sleeves on the first day of NBA free agency and grabbed two young up-and-coming players. The Free Press learned Wednesday evening that the Pistons made major moves to shore up their three-point shooting and perimeter athleticism by agreeing to deals with coveted free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. And while teams can't publicly comment on free agents until July 8 -- the first day players can sign -- the Gordon deal is believed to be worth $55 million over five years and Villanueva's is thought to be worth $35 million over five years. And just like that, Dumars accomplished his goal of adding two major pieces in ..."
Celtics to court Rasheed Wallace
Comment
July 2
Boston Herald
 
"Danny Ainge kicked off free agency yesterday by targeting a player who reportedly is going to be very receptive to Celtics overtures - former Pistons center Rasheed Wallace. "We hope to meet with him soon," Ainge, the Celtics general manager, said last night, debunking an Internet report that team management already had met with Wallace on Tuesday night. Wallace, who also is expected to receive pitches from San Antonio and Cleveland, can expect a heavy recruiting effort from several members of the C's organization."
Gordon agrees to five-year deal with Pistons
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July 2
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The courtship was short. The contract was sweet. Ben Gordon's whirlwind trip to Detroit on Wednesday ended with the now former Bulls star verbally agreeing to a five-year, $55 million deal with the Pistons. Gordon, who led the Bulls in scoring each of the last four seasons, was wooed by Pistons president Joe Dumars when the two met throughout the day at the team's practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich. Dumars made it clear to Gordon he was Detroit's top priority on what was the first day of free-agency. A source said the Bulls inquired about the Detroit offer, but were not given a chance to match by Gordon and his agent, Raymond Brothers. Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva, a ..."
Kiss him goodbye: 5-year, $55M deal too good to refuse for Gordon
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July 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"After performing a high-wire act so many times with clutch shots, Ben Gordon stayed at that altitude Wednesday, taking the high road as his five-year association with the Bulls ended. Gordon, the team's leading scorer the last four seasons, has agreed to a five-year, $55 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. The veteran guard will sign his contract once the free-agent moratorium ends July 8. The deal is slightly more than the five-year, $50 million and six-year, $54 million deals Gordon rejected from the Bulls the last two summers. "I don't have any regrets, and I don't have any bitter feelings for the Bulls," Gordon said after returning to Chicago late Wednesday. "Business is business. ..."
Not just Wallace
Comment
July 2
San Antonio Express-News
 
"It is widely believed Rasheed Wallace is at the top of the Spurs free-agent target list. Yet they are hardly putting all their eggs in the Wallace basket. In addition to Wallace, the Spurs have contacted at least two other big men during the early throes of free agency. According to an NBA source, the Spurs have also been in touch with Antonio McDyess, Wallace's soon-to-be-former Detroit teammate, and Dallas forward Brandon Bass. McDyess would be an intriguing fallback option should the Wallace plan not work out. The Pistons are interested in re-signing McDyess, who returned to Detroit after being included in the Chauncey Billups-Allen Iverson deal last fall, but it is believed he could be ..."
Joe Dumars faces flawed pool of coaching candidates
Comment
July 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Joe Dumars has a lot of work to do. Heck, by the end of the summer, he could hire four more head coaches. I am kidding. (I think.) The Pistons' next coach will almost certainly be one of three men: former Pistons coach Doug Collins, former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson or former Pistons assistant John Kuester, who is an assistant in Cleveland. The three have one thing in common: Last year, Dumars was not interested in hiring any of them. Dumars wanted Michael Curry. He had seen Curry up close as a player and assistant coach and was absolutely convinced that Curry would be a great NBA head coach. What happened? Well, Dumars didn't do Curry any favors when he traded Chauncey Billups, ..."
Gordon, Villanueva visit Pistons
Comment
July 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva flew into Detroit today for a meeting with Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and could be approaching deals to bring their talents to Motown. Both are unrestricted free agents and their acquisitions would be significant as Dumars could then concentrate on upgrading the talent along the frontcourt. The Pistons are the clear favorite to sign Gordon and a deal could be reached as early as this afternoon as the Bulls have salary-cap issues that may make their interest in retaining Gordon moot. It's expected he will command a salary in the range of $9 to $10 million per year. Gordon, 26, a five-year veteran with the Chicago ..."
Doug Collins withdraws name from Pistons' coach search
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July 2
Detroit News
 
"Doug Collins has politely declined a return engagement as the Pistons head coach. Collins, who coached the Pistons from 1995-1998, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the vacancy created when Michael Curry was fired on Tuesday. "I had a great talk with Joe (Dumars) and I appreciate being considered for the job, but I've decided to take my name out of the running," said Collins late Wednesday night. "I am honored to have been given the opportunity. I have great affection for the Davidson family (owner Karen and late husband William), great affection for the whole organization and for the fans in Detroit. Advertisement "At this time, however, I feel it's best that I not pursue ..."
Pistons reach deals with Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva
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July 3
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons have reached agreements with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. The Pistons offered Gordon, a guard, a five-year deal worth more than $50 million. According to sources on both sides, Gordon accepted the parameters of the deal. Villanueva agreed to a five-year $35 million deal. No deals can be signed until July 8. Gordon and Charlie Villanueva showed up at the practice facility Wednesday to meet with president Joe Dumars. Both players, teammates on the 2003-04 Connecticut team, were the top free-agent targets for the Pistons. Gordon, 26, averaged 20.7 points for the Bulls last season, and was brilliant in the seven-game playoff series against the Celtics, averaging ..."
Sources: Pistons, Ben Gordon agree to $50M deal
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July 1
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons have reached an agreement with free-agent guard Ben Gordon. The Pistons offered Gordon a five-year deal worth more than $50 million. According to sources on both sides, Gordon accepted the parameters of the deal. No deal can be signed until July 8. Gordon and Charlie Villanueva showed up at the practice facility Wednesday to meet with president Joe Dumars. Negotiations with Villanueva were ongoing. Gordon and Villanueva, teammates on the 2003-04 Connecticut team, have been the top free-agent targets for the Pistons for a couple weeks. Gordon, 26, averaged 20.7 points for the Bulls last season, and was brilliant in the seven-game playoff series against the Celtics, averaging 24 ..."
Pistons agree to deal with Bulls' Gordon
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July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Pistons have a new shooting guard: Ben Gordon. Gordon, a free-agent from the Chicago Bulls, agreed in principle Wednesday to join the Pistons, the Free Press has learned. Teams cannot officially announce deals until July 8, but the deal is believed to be worth $55 million over five years."
Gordon, Villanueva visit Pistons; Gordon could get a deal today
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva flew into Detroit today for a meeting with Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and could be approaching deals to bring their talents to Motown. Both are unrestricted free agents and their acquisitions would be significant as Dumars could then concentrate on upgrading the talent along the frontcourt. The Pistons are the clear favorite to sign Gordon and a deal could be reached as early as this afternoon as the Bulls have salary-cap issues that may make their interest in retaining Gordon moot. It's expected he will command a salary in the range of $9 to $10 million per year. Gordon, 26, a five-year veteran with the Chicago ..."
Pistons draft picks head to summer league
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July 1
Detroit News
 
"The three players the Pistons selected in the NBA draft -- Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebok -- will participate in their summer league in Las Vegas starting next week. Also participating will be undrafted free agent Michael Bramos of Grosse Pointe North and Miami (Ohio)."
Pistons fire Curry after 39-43 season
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July 1
Denver Post
 
"The Pistons fired coach Michael Curry on Tuesday as the team started rebuilding from an unpopular trade, a sub-.500 record and an embarrassing first-round exit from the playoffs that ended its six-year streak of making it to the conference finals. The Pistons went 39-43 and were swept in the postseason in four lopsided losses to the Cavaliers. Joe Dumars, the team's president for basketball operations, said after that series that Curry would return, but changed his mind about the fate of his former Pistons teammate. "This was a difficult decision to make," Dumars said. "I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to ..."
Pistons' Billups-Iverson trade and ensuing issues doomed coach
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Officially, the date is June 30, 2009, when Michael Curry's short tenure with the Pistons came to an end. But in reality, the date that doomed Curry to failure as coach was Nov. 3, 2008 -- when Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars shipped Chauncey Billups to Denver for Allen Iverson's expiring contract. The move had one main purpose: clear cap space for this summer so Dumars could have a smooth transition to the next Pistons era. And Iverson, a sure-fire Hall of Famer, would be hungry for an NBA title. The move backfired when his playing style clashed with his teammates. It also set off a series of other problems that ultimately led to a 39-43 record and first-round ..."
Late moves may factor hugely in free agency for Pistons
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"The final two days before the NBA's free-agency period begins brought two developments that could impact how the Pistons proceed when they can start signing free agents next Wednesday. Utah's restricted free-agent power forward Paul Millsap could be in play as the Jazz will have to pay power forward Carlos Boozer and center Mehmet Okur, who both decided Tuesday against opting out of their contracts and will remain with the Jazz. That doesn't stop trade possibilities. The Jazz has said it wants to retain Millsap, but that could prove tricky. Teams may shy away in these dire economic times from Boozer's $12.6-millon salary for next season. Millsap, who stands 6-feet-8, is coming off a ..."
A brief history of Joe D's extensive coaching moves
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July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"When Joe Dumars took over the Pistons in June 2000, he inherited George Irvine as interim coach. Dumars signed him to a three-year contract. Irvine lasted one more season (32-50), and since then Dumars has hired and fired four coaches in eight years. That is a lot. So many, in fact, that we asked sports writer Shawn Windsor to provide a coaching recap. 1. The man who led the Pistons back from irrelevance lasted two years. He won 50 games. Twice. He got the Pistons to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 13 years. Oh, he was voted coach of the year in 2002. For that Rick Carlisle was fired. Too surly behind the scenes, we were told. Buried Tayshaun Prince on the bench. Called ..."
Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva visit Pistons today
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July 1
Detroit News
 
"Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon and Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva will be at the Pistons' practice facility Wednesday, meeting with president Joe Dumars and maybe take a tour of the area and do a little home shopping. That's how serious the courtship is between the two free agents and the Pistons. There is a chance a verbal commitment could be reached soon."
Pistons fire coach Curry
Comment
July 1
Toronto Sun
 
"The Detroit Pistons fired first-year coach Michael Curry yesterday after Detroit finished under .500 and was swept in the first round of the playoffs. The Pistons began the season with big hopes but couldn't recover from the loss of all-star point guard Chauncey Billups, who was traded to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson in November. The Pistons went 39-43 and exited the post-season in four lopsided losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers."
Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons courting Ben Gordon
Comment
July 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"A busy Tuesday for Joe Dumars began with the Pistons' president of basketball operations firing coach Michael Curry and ended with him making overtures for guard Ben Gordon as NBA free agency began at 11:01 p.m. Chicago time. The Bulls planned to contact Raymond Brothers, Gordon's agent, who has turned down offers of $50 million over five years and $54 million over six years the previous two summers. Gordon, the Bulls' leading scorer for the last four seasons, never has backed off his publicly stated desire to remain in Chicago. He reiterated that desire to close associates on Tuesday. Similarly, general manager Gar Forman consistently has said the Bulls want to re-sign Gordon. However, ..."
Pistons' Billups-Iverson trade and ensuing issues doomed coach
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Officially, the date is June 30, 2009, when Michael Curry's short tenure with the Pistons came to an end. But in reality, the date that doomed Curry to failure as coach was Nov. 3, 2008 -- when Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars shipped Chauncey Billups to Denver for Allen Iverson's expiring contract. The move had one main purpose: clear cap space for this summer so Dumars could have a smooth transition to the next Pistons era. And Iverson, a sure-fire Hall of Famer, would be hungry for an NBA title. The move backfired when his playing style clashed with his teammates. It also set off a series of other problems that ultimately led to a 39-43 record and first-round ..."
Pistons contact Avery Johnson's agent
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"The surprising firing of Pistons coach Michael Curry today seems to prove the old adage that the NBA is a player's league. Hired last summer to replace Flip Saunders, it was initially thought that Curry, just a few years removed from his NBA playing days, would have the ear of the players. Far from it. As the team tumbled to a 39-43 record and first-round sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, players privately questioned game plans as well as the many lineup changes Curry implemented. Rip Hamilton and Allen Iverson, both the subject of a midseason controversy over who would be in the starting lineup, both publicly questioned Curry's decision-making. At the end of the season, ..."
For better or worse, Joe Dumars moves boldly
Comment
July 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"Things change. Sometimes this is true in a slow way and sometimes true in a fast way, and right now in Pistons Land it's true in an avalanche way, and Michael Curry just got buried underneath it. "The fact is, we're going through this transition right now," Joe Dumars told me Tuesday afternoon, shortly after letting his coach go, "and I think it's imperative we have someone who has more experience to help guide us through." Curry was not that guy. He was not that guy when hired last year. But last year pieces weren't moving on the Pistons' board faster than the props on a "Saturday Night Live" set. By the time you read this, the franchise may have lassoed a high-priced free agent like Ben ..."
Pistons fire Curry after one season
Comment
July 1
Detroit News
 
"The prevailing thought was that Michael Curry was going to get a second season to redeem himself after a rough, 39-43 rookie season. Pistons president Joe Dumars blew that thought right out of the water, firing Curry on Tuesday. "As I look at our situation and the transition that we are going through, it is clear to me that we need a more experienced hand at the wheel to help guide us through this," Dumars said. "Maybe I put too much on Mike as a first-year head coach." The Pistons will pay Curry $5 million for the two remaining years on his contract. Advertisement As for the next coach, Dumars will choose from a very short list: Doug Collins, former Bulls, Pistons and Wizards coach; ..."
Curry Sacked as Pistons Coach After One Year
Comment
July 1
New York Times
 
"Michael Curry was sacked as Detroit Pistons coach on Tuesday after just one season in charge. "This was a difficult decision to make," said Joe Dumars, Pistons president of basketball operations in a statement on the team's website (www.nba.com/pistons). "I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change." Under Curry the Pistons finished with a regular-season record of 39-43 and advanced to the playoffs where they were swept from the first round in four games by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The results fell far short of the high expectations for a team that had reached the conference finals the previous six ..."
Is Bill Laimbeer a candidate to replace Michael Curry?
Comment
June 30
Detroit News
 
"Is Bill Laimbeer a candidate to replace Michael Curry as Pistons coach? Laimbeer, the former Pistons player who rose to prominence in the organization during the Bad Boys era, resigned as coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock on June 16. Laimbeer has for years expressed a desire to be an NBA coach. When he was contacted by The Detroit News on Tuesday and asked about Curry's firing, Laimbeer said, "It's the first I've heard of it. Really, they fired him?" Laimbeer was asked if he had been contacted by the Pistons about the head coaching position. "I've been out pursuing different things," he said. As for his reaction to Curry's firing, Laimbeer said, "I don't have any feelings about it." ..."
Pistons fire coach Michael Curry after one season
Comment
June 30
Detroit News
 
"The prevailing thought was that Michael Curry was going to get a second season to redeem himself after a rough, 39-43 rookie season. Pistons president Joe Dumars blew that thought right out of the water, firing Curry on Tuesday. "As I look at our situation and the transition that we are going through, it is clear to me that we need a more experienced hand at the wheel to help guide us through this," Dumars said. "Maybe I put too much on Mike as a first-year head coach." The Pistons will pay Curry $5 million for the two remaining years on his contract. As for the next coach, Dumars could choose from a very short list: Doug Collins, former Bulls, Pistons and Wizards coach; Avery Johnson, ..."
Pistons' free-agent targets: Gordon, Villanueva
Comment
June 30
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons would love to sign Carlos Boozer should he decide today to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Jazz and become a free agent. Why wouldn't they? He's 26 and one of the elite power forwards in the game, capable of averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, if Boozer opts out, he would leave $12.6 million on the table in Utah. Thus, there is a good chance Boozer, as has been widely speculated, would look to start his next contract at $14 million or $15 million. If that is the case, the Pistons most likely would walk away. The Pistons expect to have between $17 million and $19 million of available cap space (the exact number will be determined within the next ..."
Pistons fire Curry after one season
Comment
June 30
Yahoo! Sports
 
"After failing to gain the respect of his players and refusing to reconcile with a disgruntled star, the Detroit Pistons fired Michael Curry as coach on Tuesday. No replacement has been hired, but a league source believes that one-time Detroit coach Doug Collins could be the favorite for the job. Pistons general manager Joe Dumars had been considering a change for several weeks, sources say, and ultimately let go of Curry after concluding he couldn't recover the locker room. Curry had a deteriorating relationship with All-Star Richard Hamilton(notes), whom he benched at times in favor of Allen Iverson(notes). Curry clashed with several of Pistons veterans and never gained their trust or ..."
What the Pistons' shopping list may look like
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June 30
Detroit Free Press
 
"NBA players are eligible to begin discussing contracts with teams at midnight tonight. Free Press sports writer Vince Ellis rates the top 10 free agents: Carlos BoozerF, Utah Jazz The word: Has until today to decide whether to hit the open market. Ben Gordon G, Chicago Bulls The word: Pistons expected to make a play for offensive machine. Paul Millsap* F, Utah Jazz The word: Might be the Pistons' best frontcourt option. David Lee* F, N.Y. Knicks The word: A possible Pistons target with a sign-and-trade. Lamar Odom F, L.A. Lakers The word: Team wants to keep his talents in Hollywood. Ron Artest F, Houston Rockets The word: Team wants tough defender back."
Kwame Brown opts to remain with Pistons
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June 30
Michigan Live
 
"Kwame Brown's agent confirmed that the 6-foot-11 center will be back with the Detroit Pistons this season. Brown could have opted out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, but will instead play out the final year of his deal which pays $4.1 million this season."
Jonas Jerebko is a blast from Joe Dumars' past
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June 30
Detroit News
 
"A few weeks ago, after working out at the Pistons practice facility for the first time, Jonas Jerebko was invited into president Joe Dumars' office for a brief chat. "He looked at me and he says, 'You don't remember me, do you?' " Dumars said on Monday, after introducing Jerebko and fellow draftees Austin Daye and DaJuan Summers to the media. Dumars wracked his brain trying to remember where he might have met this 22-year-old kid from Sweden. Then Jerebko reminded him about the 2001 Euroleague Championship, which was held in Sweden. "I remember there was this little kid maybe 12, 13 years old who kept running up and sitting with me, bringing me stat sheets, bringing me cokes and ..."
Pistons gear up for free-agent season
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June 30
Detroit News
 
"Just like Draft Day itself, the introduction Monday of the Pistons' three new players -- draftees Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko -- was overshadowed by the pending free-agent season, which commences Wednesday. The Pistons are hoping to land two top-tier free agents. As has been widely reported, Bulls guard Ben Gordon, an unrestricted free agent, is at the top of the list. However, the Pistons may be backing away from Utah power forward Carlos Boozer. Boozer has until today to opt out of the final year of his contract, which would pay him $12.6 million. If he does, he is expected to be looking for a long-term deal starting out between $14 million and $15 million. If that is ..."
Pistons' free-agent targets: Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva
Comment
June 30
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons would love to sign Carlos Boozer should he decide today to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Jazz and become a free agent. Why wouldn't they? He's 26 and one of the elite power forwards in the game, capable of averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, if Boozer opts out, he would leave $12.6 million on the table in Utah. Thus, there is a good chance Boozer, as has been widely speculated, would look to start his next contract at $14 million or $15 million. If that is the case, the Pistons most likely would walk away. The Pistons expect to have between $17 million and $19 million of available cap space (the exact number will be determined within the next ..."
Amid criticism, Pistons' top pick Austin Daye aims to gain weight, exceed expectations
Comment
June 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"The reviews are in and many of them aren't very kind. Yes, plenty of criticism - from fans and pundits alike - has been directed toward the Detroit Pistons because they selected Austin Daye with the 15th pick in last week's draft. The criticism focuses on the lack of bulk on Daye's 6-foot-11, 192-pound frame, a so-so sophomore season at Gonzaga and supposedly uninspiring predraft workouts as proof that the forward was a reach. Joe Dumars, as president of basketball operations, is used to the heat and typically just shrugs off criticism. For a 20-year-old, it all could be a little offsetting. But Daye has a father who played in the NBA and who is pretty hard on him. "I think he's picked my ..."
Draft picks Jerebko, Summers bring first-round character, potential to Pistons
Comment
June 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"The year was 2001 and Joe Dumars was overseas for the European basketball championships. He was there along with right-hand man John Hammond and over the course of two days they basically adopted a young Swede. The kid would grab them stat sheets and was underfoot during the time there. When the time came to leave, the boy told Dumars he wanted to play in NBA one day. Fast forward to earlier this year when a 22-year-old prospect from Sweden, Jonas Jerebko, walked into Dumars' office for a predraft meeting at the Detroit Pistons practice facility. As he walked toward Dumars, Jerebko said: "You don't remember me, do you?" Yeah, his Swedish errand boy had grown into a 6-foot-10, 230-pound ..."
Decision expected today on Kwame Brown's status
Comment
June 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"Very newsy day at the Palace and the main story of note is whether Kwame Brown will return to the Pistons next season. We should know something later today. He has until Tuesday to let the team know if he will return at $4.1 million next season or become an unrestricted free agent when the free agency period starts Wednesday. Indications are he will return, as he has been at the Pistons practice facility the past few weeks. But his agent Mark Bartelstein said this morning they should have a decision later this afternoon. It's a big decision for the Pistons as he is the only big man currently on the roster, although that will obviously change over the course of the next month. Also, head ..."
Pistons Forum Top 5
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