update on Pistons

[Cross]

AUBURN HILLS -- The Pistons have taken a step toward restructuring their lineup after Ben Wallace's departure.

Pistons president Joe Dumars confirmed Tuesday an agreement had been reached with eight-year veteran center Nazr Mohammed on a four-year deal worth approximately $25 million.

Also Tuesday, officials confirmed Lindsey Hunter had agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.5 million. Hunter is expected to take a job in the Pistons'front office at the end of that deal.

Those players can't sign their deals until July 12.

Mohammed, whom the Pistons nearly signed in 2001, is 6-foot-10 and will be 29 in September. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Spurs last season, starting 30 games. He also started in three of the eight playoff games in which he appeared. He was the starting center for the Spurs when they beat the Pistons in the 2005 NBA Finals.

During his career -- with stops in Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York and San Antonio -- Mohammed has averaged 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds.

The Pistons earlier had been in contact with Portland free agent center Joel Przybilla, apparently offering him a five-year, $30 million contract. Przybilla, though, was torn between leaving Portland and responding to offers from Detroit, San Antonio, Cleveland and Sacramento.

Przybilla decided to stay with Portland, getting a five-year, approximately $35 million deal.

There obviously will be a falloff on the defensive end if Mohammed replaces Wallace in the starting lineup.

Wallace, who said Monday he will sign with Chicago, is a four-time defensive player of the year.

Mohammed isn't known as a great shot-blocker, but is a solid low-post defender and rebounder.

Mohammed, however, may be an improvement on the offensive end. He is a strong offensive rebounder and a capable low-post scorer with an adequate mid-range jump shot. He's averaged better than 10 points a game in two of his previous eight seasons.

He ran afoul of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich last season because he had trouble catching and passing the ball in the post.

It's not a lock, however, that Mohammed will be the starting center next season.

Either Antonio McDyess or Dale Davis could also play that role alongside Rasheed Wallace.

"Obviously, losing Ben, we're going to have to make up for certain things that he did for us," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "But, at the same time, there are some things we are going to be able to do better."

There is a good chance the Pistons will deploy more small lineups next season, using Rasheed Wallace or McDyess up front with Tayshaun Prince playing more of a hybrid forward role, and using three guards.

The Pistons still have the bi-annual exception ($1.75 million) at their disposal, which they plan to use to acquire a veteran perimeter player -- preferably one who can play multiple positions and break defenses down off the dribble.

Former Pistons guard Chucky Atkins is one candidate, as is Tony Delk, who finished the season with the Pistons last year.

Dumars could explore a trade, using Davis, whose $3.5 million contract expires after the season, and perhaps one or two of the team's first-round draft picks.

First round draft picks will be valuable because, unlike this year's, the 2007 draft is expected to be loaded with prospects

Some quick highlights.

We are going to sign ANOTHER point guard? We have Blalock Hunter and Billups. Getting another one is flat out fucking stupid.

So Nazr might not be able to start?

That would be interesting knowing, DD might not get traded now.

The Signing is 4 year 25 million. Full MLE?

[Black Dynamite]

"Obviously, losing Ben, we're going to have to make up for certain things that he did for us," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "But, at the same time, there are some things we are going to be able to do better."

yep Flip is jumping for joy. Now he only has to cry like a baby when rasheed yells at him.

[Varsity]

now no one is around to question his practices...somehow I don't think that's a good thing.

[Matt]

now no one is around to question his practices...somehow I don't think that's a good thing.

i think they'll be ok. one glaring thing i remember is when McCosky mentioned how Flip first came to practice and asked the team how they defended the pick and roll in practice under LB. they answered, "we just did". also, i remember hearing that Flip practiced defense a whole lot more than Ben had complained about. it comes down to who you believe.

[Pharaoh]

4 years and $25mil deal?

The length is not "full MLE" type, since the full MLE is 5 years.

The money is also not "full MLE" type money, because Przybilla got the full MLE from Portland and the article says he signed for "5 years and $35mil"

It's probably the full MLE for 4 years though.

I doubt the starting salary will be anything less than the MLE. Why bother?

[Glenn]

I'm probably wrong as I often am with CBA related issues, but I thought that only a player's current team can offer 5 years with the MLE to retain a player? Can't other teams only offer 4 years?

edit: I don't think that's right^ but why was it reported that Portland was the only team that could offer Pryz 5 years and the other offers were for 4 at most, by rule? I know I read that somewhere.

[Pharaoh]

Don't know if that's right or not GD, and at this time of the day I'm not looking it up.

You might be right though.

[Pharaoh]

What did Claxton get from Atlanta?

That will (should) answer the years/salary question

[Glenn]

What did Claxton get from Atlanta?

That will (should) answer the years/salary question

Reportedly, 4 years/$25m

[Cross]

Same with Nazr, So I guess that is the MLE and is now 'flexible'