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Ex-Pistons center Ben Wallace back to Detroit?
by A. Sherrod Blakely
Tuesday July 14, 2009, 1:30 PM
AUBURN HILLS -- Now that he is a free agent, former Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace might finish his NBA career with the franchise by which many fans still associate him.
Wallace, who recently was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Phoenix Suns, reached a $10 million buyout with the Suns and is an unrestricted free agent.
It remains to be seen how many teams are interested in the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
One thing is clear: Detroit is among them.
The Pistons have about $3.5 million to spend on free agents. Some or all of that could go to Wallace.
Detroit likely would use just a portion of that for him, or the Pistons could sign the 34-year-old to a contract for the veteran's minimum, which is $1.3 million next season.
With starters Rasheed Wallace (Boston) and Antonio McDyess (San Antonio) signing elsewhere, the Pistons lack an established veteran presence in the frontcourt.
By using the bulk of their salary cap space this summer to sign Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, the Pistons are limited to a much smaller pool of free-agent targets.
Gaining additional salary-cap space to target free agents was at the heart of the team's decision this week to trade guard Arron Afflalo and forward Walter Sharpe to Denver for a future second-round pick.
As for Ben Wallace's incentive to come back to Detroit, his career has taken a nosedive since he left after signing a four-year, $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls.
Wallace was named to the All-NBA second or third team his final five seasons in Detroit. A four-time all-star (2002-06), he also was a five-time all-defensive player.
But in the three seasons since he left Detroit, Wallace has battled injuries. That, coupled with teams (including Detroit) being more cost-conscious this summer, might limit his options.
But with a limited role, which is what he would have with Detroit, Wallace might be an effective player off the bench.
In addition to Wallace, other free-agent big men Detroit might consider include Glen Davis, Chris Wilcox, Drew Gooden and former Piston Joe Smith
From DetNews.com:
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 .
Could Ben Wallace return to Pistons after buyout by Suns?
Chris McCosky / The Detroit News
Auburn Hills -- Add another name -- a familiar name -- to the list of candidates to bolster the Pistons' thin frontcourt.
Former Piston Ben Wallace accepted a $10 million buyout from the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. If he clears waivers, he will be an unrestricted free agent.
Wallace indicated at the end of last season that he would consider retirement because of his age (35) and lingering injuries. But, according to sources, Wallace is considering trying to play at least one more season and has reached out to the Pistons.
He still owns a home in Oakland County.
The Pistons have $3.5 million still available under the salary cap. In taking the buyout, Wallace left $4 million still on the table in Phoenix. (The final year of his contract was worth $14 million.)
Most likely, the Pistons would offer Wallace the veteran's minimum ($1.3 million, which does not count against the cap), and still have the $3.5 million to spend on a younger big man.
Pistons president Joe Dumars, who is considering several options, would not comment on the possibility of bringing Wallace back.
From Freep.com:
Source: Pistons not actively looking at Ben Wallace
BY VINCE ELLIS • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • July 14, 2009
LAS VEGAS -- With the Detroit Pistons in the market for a big man, it’s natural for speculation to turn to former Piston Ben Wallace.
Wallace, the face of the franchise for six seasons — including 2004, when the Pistons won the NBA title — was bought out by the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
But a person with knowledge of the situation said today that the Pistons are focusing on options other than Wallace, 34.
With $3.2 million left to address a gaping hole in the frontcourt — Charlie Villanueva, Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown are the only big men on the roster — the Pistons have limited options, so Wallace isn't totally out of the picture.
They appear to be more interested in Celtics restricted free agent Glen Davis. But if they make an offer to him, it’s expected Boston might match it. Then the Pistons could turn to a list of journeymen headed by the likes of New York’s Chris Wilcox and San Antonio’s Drew Gooden.
Wallace, who was traded to the Suns last month as part of the deal that sent Shaquille O’Neal to Cleveland, probably would command the league minimum of just over $1 million for one season.
The Suns paid him $10 million to not play for them this coming season. He had been due $14 million in the final year of his contract. Because the Suns were staring at the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, they will save $8 million by letting him go, according to the Arizona Republic.
Earlier this off-season, Wallace mentioned the possibility of retiring.
