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Rebound Row Returning to Detroit? Pistons Exploring Possibility of Signing Ben Wallace

Via MLIVE:

The Detroit Pistons are in need of a big man, a relatively inexpensive one.

Ben Wallace, $10 million dollars richer after being bought out by Phoenix, is looking for a new home.

While there's no deal imminent, the Pistons are going to explore the possibility of bringing one of the franchise's greatest defenders, back to Detroit.

Star-divide

If this was 2006, I'd be very interested in the idea of signing free agent, Ben Wallace.  But it's 2009, Ben Wallace will be 35-years old in September, and nobody fears a graying 'fro. 

I'll be the first to admit, I was very disappointed he signed with Chicago for way more than the Pistons were willing to offer him during the 2006 off-season.  It wasn't long, though before I realized Wallace's time had passed and it was probably for the best.

I understand if we signed him now he'd be coming to Detroit with a different role, for virtually nothing (probably the veteran's minimum which wouldn't go against the cap), and he'd serve as a pretty good locker room leader to players who could use some mentoring on the defensive end. 

Is it really worth it, though?

After all, Wallace was lamenting retirement after the Cavs were axed in this year's playoffs; he probably wouldn't display nearly the same passion he had when he was with Chicago or Cleveland, let alone when he first came to Detroit. 

Also, he's had injury problems that has forced him to miss significant time in the past few years.  We can play what if and hope, "well if he's healthy he can be a valuable asset," but weren't injury problems the same concerns people have had with a potential Carlos Boozer acquisition?  I know they are two completely different players, but those were the major concerns I was hearing with getting Booz in a potential trade.  I don't see how wasting any money, no matter how much less, is worth it on an aging guy, whose play has diminished significantly, has had injury problems, and isn't even sure he wants to play. 

It might be a feel good story for Big Ben and his fans, who have certainly not forgotten what he did for us during his time here, to return to the first team that really gave him a shot to blossom as a star defender in this league, but Wallace also left the Pistons in the dust once before.  Should the Pistons take a flier on him?  I don't think so.  I thought this was the end of an era and we were rebuilding our team, not rebound row.

UPDATE: According to The Free Press, the Pistons are not actively pursuing Ben Wallace.

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.

Take that for what it's worth.  I guess we'll see what happens.

0 recs  |  Comment 13 comments |

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Personally

Ben will always be a favorite in my eyes. I’ll admit I was dissapointed when he went to Chicago, but after seeing how far he fell, from 4 time defensive champion to washed up old vet. I can’t help but feel for him. Skimming through Chicago blogs I found guys trashing Big Ben. It made me angry, if he wanted to make his comeback to the D, I would welcome him with open arms. He’ll bring that toughness to a team that looks anemic on the defensive end. He probably won’t do much, but his 10-15 defensive laden minutes will be great for a team that needs frontcourt depth badly. He’ll fit the Dale Davis/Elden Cambell/Theo Ratliff role. He won’t command the entire 3.2 mil of cap, so we’ll still have room to sign a 3rd PG and a young big man (Dwayne Jones from the Summer League team?).

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jul 14, 2009 6:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Don’t get me wrong, I loved him when he was on the Pistons; one of my favorites. I was very sad to see him go. I think I would be OK with him coming to Detroit if he signed the veteran’s minimum since it wouldn’t affect the cap and we could still go about doing whatever it is we were planning on doing with the roughly $3.5 we have. I just don’t think wasting any actual cap space on him is worth it. Not at this juncture.

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on Jul 14, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good point

I forgot about the Vets minimum, I guess I got used to the fact that the biannual exceptions and MLE were off limits to us. Him signing for the Veteran’s Minumum would be perfect because he would command around the same from the cap.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jul 14, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, us in Chicago trashed him.

Mainly because he played like garbage. But, you know, if you like garbage, you’re welcome to it.
I wouldn’t sign him, though – the back problems are definitely not a good sign, and he just keeps slowing down. I don’t think his body is letting him be effective anymore.

Vinny Del Negro Offensive Gameplan, Part 1
-When there's less than 30 seconds left in the game, that's me with my hands cupped around my mouth yelling.
"BEN! SHOOT! SHOOOOTTTT!!! WHY AREN'T YOU LISTENING TO ME?!?"
-This segues nicely into my Timeout Management classes - order now!

by Prevenge on Jul 15, 2009 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

For the Vet's Minimum

And a short term contract, there’s not much risk involved. Take a chance on him, hope he instills toughness and a good attitude to the rookies. Allow him to keep the locker room in check. If it doesn’t work, hey it’s only the minimum.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jul 16, 2009 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Roster space

For the vets minimum it’s certainly not a bad deal but if Joe feels like he needs another big with the 3.2 mill as well as the vets min to wallace im thinking he may not sign wallace to preserve a roster spot for future trades. He likes to do that when possible.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Jul 17, 2009 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I WOULD WELCOME BEN BACK

This team is going to stink next year. Our FrontCourt will be terrible. I’d take Ben back in a second for one or two more years.

by mikeywhy16 on Jul 14, 2009 7:12 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Dissapointing

Aside from the nostalgic value, he’s probably one of the few marginally talented big men available.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Jul 14, 2009 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

pull the damn trigger

ben is past his prime but he’s a damn good motivational leader. he can get the pistons back to playing defense like they used to. Lure the man back to motown and make a play at big baby and our froncourt will be imminent again! wallace can aid kwame with confidence

by finesse on Jul 14, 2009 9:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I MISS THE GONG!!!!!

Tell me you guys don’t miss that sweet sound of the “GONG” when BEN would block a shot or rip a rebound down? I know I do, 35 years old or not bring him BACK Joe….

by SERCH on Jul 15, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Even though it looks like he's not coming back I be happy if he did

Sure there are the injury issues and his age but.with reduced minutes and allowing him to do what he does best I could see him in an Alonzo Mourning role.

by MichiganBillsFan84 on Jul 15, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Player/Mentor

I would love to see Ben come back, if it did not hurt are chances at getting a good big man in free agent market… I think Ben has excepted he is getting old, but still has part of his heart in the Pistons… If he only played 10 to 15 minutes a game it would not only help the team but help young guys learn more! The big plus would be Rip and Tey know how to play with Ben, and Ben probably needs it now more than ever. I say the +’es out wiegh the -’es by far… And it sounds like Joe can still go after a 3.5 deal

by dball2008 on Jul 16, 2009 11:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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