Kwame Brown Opts to Remain with the Pistons

From MLive.com:

Kwame Brown opts to remain with Pistons
by A. Sherrod Blakely
Monday June 29, 2009, 6:40 PM

AUBURN HILLS - 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.

"Kwame felt like he made a lot of strides in the second half of the season with Detroit, and would like an opportunity to build upon that," said his agent, Mark Bartelstein.

Great news!

I liked how Kwame developed in the second half of last season. IMHO, he could fill the niche that Ben Wallace vacated for the Pistons. For my money, I would've played him in place of Rasheed in the playoff series against Cleveland. Rasheed quit on the team.

Unforgiveable.

Kwame blocked LeBron 3-4 times during the series. At least twice in game 3.

He'll also match up great with Shaq.

I expect that Rasheed leaving and him looking to get an increased role played a part along with the lousy market in his deciding to stay.