It seems like an eternity since the Pistons were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Cavaliers, who then went on to represent the Eastern Conference, albeit miserably in a four game sweep at the hands of the Spurs, in the NBA Finals. Much has transpired since that time, and over time, the roster for the 2007/2008 NBA season has taken shape. Barring any blockbuster trade, Joe Dumars appears to have the foundation for the team set.
- In the most notable transaction of the offseason thus far, the team inked point guard Chauncey Billups to a four-year contract worth $46 million. With a team option to bring Smooth back for a fifth year, the contract could end up being worth $60 million, which would average out to $12 million per campaign for the player at the helm of the Pistons’ offense. While it is a hefty chunk of change, the Pistons simply did what they had to. Billups may have stretches of play that seem lackadaisical, his play in crunch time has saved the team on numerous occasions. Last season, Mr. Big Shot averaged 17 points & 7.2 assists per game while shooting 88.3% from the free throw line. Billups has certainly been one of the poster players for the “New Bad Boys” team that became famous for winning the NBA Championship in 2004, when Billups was Finals MVP. And indeed, he claims his heart stayed in Detroit throughout his short time on the free agency circuit.
- Part of the plan to put the Pistons back into contention is to build a young bench, and the team has already officially signed draft picks Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo to contracts (the terms of the deals were not announced). Second round selection Sammy Mejia, who made second team All-Big East Conference during his senior year at DePaul, was also signed to an undisclosed deal.
- The team also locked up their top bench performer, Antonio McDyess, to a two-year contract extension. At age 32, Dice is perhaps the most important bench player — a veteran who excels with a hard work ethic and desire to win a championship. He averaged just over 8 points and 6 rebounds per game while shooting 53% from the floor in the 2006/2007 season.
- Center Cheick Samb was signed to a contract as well. The 22-year-old was drafted by the Lakers a few seasons ago and had his rights traded to the Pistons in the Maurice Evans trade. He has been playing in the Spanish League since that time, posting team highs in rebounds (7.7) and blocks (3.1) in addition to 9.6 points last season with the WTC Cornella.
- The Pistons re-signed Amir Johnson to a 3-year, $12 million contract. While young, athletic, and promising, Johnson has played sparingly — he has appeared in just 11 games with the Pistons in his two seasons with the organization. In this season’s finale against Boston he finished with 20 points on 10 of 14 shooting.
- Young guard Will Blalock did not have his option picked up by the team, and thus will seek employment elsewhere.
- Referee Tim Donaghy likes to gamble… That includes games he has officiated, so the FBI and NBA are putting a stop to that. It is interesting that games were not fixed to the point where anyone noticed this before, but it is still being determined whether he made calls that affected the outcome of said games. He has reffed 772 games in his career, including several with the Pistons. He was most notably on the crew that had to deal with the Indiana Pacers-Citizens of Detroit/Auburn Hills Basketbrawl in 2004.
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