Reports: Detroit Pistons Will Sever Ties With Coach John Kuester

By: Tyler Ward

Reports have surfaced that the Detroit Pistons will not retain head coach John Kuester for the 2011-12 season. It hasn't been confirmed yet, but speculation is that Kuester is practically done.

Kuester was hired by the Pistons prior to the 2009-10 season and posted a 57-107 record in his two years with the team.

In his two seasons with Detroit, the Pistons missed out on the playoffs both seasons, their longest drought since they missed three straight from 1993-95.

Kuester was hired by the Pistons after serving two years for the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant. He had been part of the Pistons before, as he was an assistant to Larry Brown on the Pistons' 2004 championship run.

With the gig certainly up for grabs, the Pistons will now look into hiring their 28th coach in franchise history.

One name that has been continually brought up is that of former Atlanta Hawks head coach and former Pistons assistant, Mike Woodson.

Woodson was also part of the Pistons in their championship campaign and was hired by the Hawks in the summer of 2004. Woodson was the leading man for the Hawks before his dismissal after the 2009-10 season.

The Pistons, under a new regime, are very close to being sold to businessman Tom Gores.

The team is trying to return to championship form after a few years of mediocrity. With a young corps of Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, and Rodney Stuckey, along with veterans Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, the Pistons are hoping to return to contention under a new head coach and new owner.

However, it starts now and will not be with John Kuester.

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Detroit Pistons Vs. Washington Wizards 4/5/11 (Highlights)

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Detroit Pistons Vs. Boston Celtics 4/3/11 (Highlights)

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Chicago Bulls Vs. Detroit Pistons 4/1/11 (Highlights + Dennis Rodman Jersey Retirement)

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Detroit Pistons Vs. Indiana Pacers 3/30/11 (Highlights)

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Magic Johnson: The Next Pistons Owner...Wait, What?

By: Tyler Ward

In a rather stupifying statement, Magic Johnson announced Friday that he would be interested in joining a group to buy his home-state Detroit Pistons. If he is not able to latch onto a group, he would be willing to join the Pistons in a front office position. Johnson has lately explored ideas of supplying a bigger role to an NBA franchise. 

The ex-Laker noted that he had not had any formal talks with anybody regarding the Pistons investment. He also stated that he would not become a majority owner of any team, simply because he would have to cut ties with his old team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Before the NBA Hall of Fame ceremonies on Friday, Johnson told reporters, "Some people had called me and wanted me to [know] if I'm interested in being a part of a group to own the Pistons."

Johnson additionally added, "Somebody back there has to be the majority owner. Be the owner," said Johnson, who would have to sell his interest in the Lakers to work for or own another team.. "That wouldn't be me. But if Ilitch or somebody -- you've got a good guy back there already in Joe Dumars. If somebody said, 'Hey, can you come and think about helping Joe Dumars?' then I would think about it."

The current owners of the Pistons, the Davidson family, are selling the team because of the death of the original owner, Bill Davidson. Karen Davidson, Bill's widow, has previously stated that the team would be sold before the start of the regular season (late October).

Apparently, Johnson was involved in a group that was close to purchasing the Golden State Warriors last month, but talks fell through. Peter Gruber and Joe Lacob ended up buying the team for an NBA-record $450 million. 

Tigers and Red Wings owner Mike Illitch said that he would be interested in purchasing the Pistons to add to his repertoire. 

I don't think it is likely that Johnson will have a big stake in the Pistons franchise. I think that it will end up being bought by Illitch and just him -- no investment group. And I'm sure Lakers fans would think differently of Magic since the "Bad Boys" era in the late 80's-mid 90's. It just doesn't seem like a real possibility and in the end, I doubt that it will happen.

Wednesday's NBA Free Agent Roundup

By: Tyler Ward

The last few days have been rather busy and with the aftermath of the major signings, there haven't been many notable transactions. But, there have still been moves and it is my duty to bring the transactions to your computer. So, with that being said, here's what has happened the last week or so.

- Cleveland trades SG Delonte West and PG Sebastian Telfair to Minnesota for PG Ramon Sessions, C Ryan Hollins, and a future 2nd round pick

In a not-so-stunning move, point guard Ramon Sessions was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with seldom-used center Ryan Hollins. The Timberwolves receive Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair, both of whom are expected to be cut. West's $5 million salary for the upcoming season can be waived if he is released before August 5th.

The Timberwolves are expected to cut West because he would have no playing time, thanks to Minnesota's stacked backcourt. Minnesota already has Jonny Flynn and Luke Ridnour under contract, along with the rights to Ricky Rubio. Rubio will play for Spain this season and it is uncertain when he will come to the United States. The disgruntled West had been the subject of trade rumors recently and his release or trade was inevitable. The Boston Celtics, who he was originally drafted by, has expressed interest in bringing West back.

Telfair, who went straight from high school to the NBA, was traded from Boston to Minnesota in 2007 as part of the Kevin Garnett trade. He spent two seasons with the Timberwolves, before going to the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to media outlets, Telfair butted heads with Minnesota's front office numerous times, leading to his departure. He played sparingly for Cleveland last season, competing in only four games. Telfair will more than likely be traded or bought out and will not play a single game for the team.

Ramon Sessions is expected to back-up Mo Williams for the Cavaliers, giving them a great combination at the position. Sessions had been thought to be traded, after Flynn outplayed him last season. Prior to last season, Sessions signed a 4-year/$16 million contract with the Timberwolves. Cleveland signed point guard Kyle Lowry to a 3-year/$23 million offer sheet, but Houston matched it, thus leading to the acquisition of Sessions. Sessions played a career-low 21.1 minutes per game last season, averaging 8.2 points and 3.1 assists per game.

The acquisition of Hollins also benefits the Cavaliers, after becoming weak at the center position. Zydrunas Ilgauskas signed with the Miami Heat earlier this offseason, with Hall-of-Famer Shaquille O'Neal being a free agent. Hollins is expected to play a somewhat major role for the Cavaliers after averaging 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season.

- Los Angeles Clippers sign SG Rasual Butler to a one-year contract

The Clippers announced earlier this week that they had re-signed sharpshooter Rasual Butler to a one-year contract. Full terms of the contract haven't been disclosed.

Los Angeles acquired Butler from New Orleans last year. Known particularly as a three-point shooter, Butler has made 255 three-pointers the last two seasons, including a Clipper franchise record 145 last season. Butler also averaged a career-high 11.9 points per game.

The signing of Butler fills a huge void for the Clippers, with Eric Gordon being the only shooting guard under contract for next season. He is expected to back-up Gordon, who has been quite the surprise for a mediocre Clippers squad. 

However, Butler can also play small forward, a position that he was forced to play last season. With the addition of Al-Farouq Aminu, Butler is not expected to start at small forward. But, with the possible rookie curves that Aminu faces, it is entirely possible that Butler could see some playing time in front of the rookie.

Butler was initially drafted by the Miami Heat with the 53rd overall pick in 2002. A long shot to make the team, Butler surpassed expectations and became a valuable role player for the Heat. He was part of the major 5-team trade in 2005 that netted Jason Williams and James Posey in Miami, leading them to the NBA championship that season. He was dealt to Los Angeles in 2009 for a second round pick. 

He has averaged 8.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game for Miami, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

- Washington re-signs SF Josh Howard to a one-year contract

A source close to Howard reported that the Wizards have re-signed the former Maverick, Josh Howard. Full terms have not been disclosed.

At last season's trade deadline, Howard, along with Drew Gooden, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross were traded to Washington in exchange for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and Deshawn Stevenson. After playing just four games for the Wizards, Howard tore his ACL and was out for the rest of the season.

Howard's conduct was detrimental to the team to the Mavericks, which made his trade or release inevitable. He reportedly showed up to a game with a hangover against those very same Washington Wizards. His off-the-court antics led the Mavericks to force his hand and deal him away. After a tumultuous season with the Mavericks, he was dealt in that seven-player trade in February. He had surgery in March and the expected time of recovery is six to eight months, which means he could miss the start of the 2010-11 season.

The Wizards declined to pick up the option on Howard, which forced him to take a lower salary if he returned to the up-and-coming Wizards team.

Washington only has one other natural small forward on the team, Al Thornton. Howard is expected to back-up Thornton and possibly compete for a starting role. 

For Washington and Dallas last season, Howard averaged 12.7 points per game, his lowest since his sophomore season in 2004-05. He also set a career-low in games played, participating in only 35 games total last season. In his seven seasons, Howard has career averages of 15.3 points and 6 rebounds per game with the Mavericks and Wizards.

- Detroit re-signs PG Will Bynum to a 3-year/$10 million contract

As expected, the Pistons said Wednesday that they had officially re-signed former Georgia Tech standout Will Bynum to a three-year deal worth approximately $9.75 million. 

Bynum was a restricted free agent, which means that if he signed with a team, Detroit would have seven days to match the offer sheet. However, Bynum felt that his heart was in Detroit and thus, re-signed with the team that he had grown up idolizing.

He has proven to be an electric player at some points, even dishing out twenty assists in one game against the Washington Wizards. The last Pistons player to get at least twenty assists was Bynum's boyhood idol, Isiah Thomas.

Bynum spent 2006-08 with the Euroleague team, Maccabi Tel Aviv. Originally a rookie in 2005-06, Bynum played 15 games for the Golden State Warriors, being limited to an average of ten minutes per game. He was brought in prior to the 2008-09 season, playing in 57 games. He played more last season with Detroit, even exploding for 25 points in one quarter against the Charlotte Bobcats, a Pistons record. For the Pistons last season, Bynum averaged 10 points and 4.5 assists per game.  

Bynum will have more than enough ample opportunity to get playing time this year as the Pistons are far from stacked at the point guard position. Starting point guard, Rodney Stuckey, has been playing out of position and is more of a shooting guard, which could lead to Bynum starting at some point during the regular season. He is expected to play a much more larger role, as the Pistons look to regain their championship form.

- Houston trades C David Andersen to Toronto for a future 2nd round pick and cash considerations

After one season in Houston, David Andersen has been acquired by the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a future second round pick and cash considerations. Andersen's rights were traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Rockets before the 2009-10 started. After Yao Ming announced that he would undergo surgery, Andersen was forced into a role that he shouldn't have after never playing in an NBA game.

Andersen was chosen in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft by the Hawks. He spent the majority of his career playing overseas. He spent last season playing for the Spanish League team, FC Barcelona.

In his lone season in the NBA, Andersen averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 63 appearances.

Other transactions:

- Atlanta signs PF Josh Powell to a one-year contract

- Boston re-signs SG Marquis Daniels to a contract (terms not disclosed)

- Miami signs PF Shavlik Randolph and PG Kenny Hasbrouck to contracts

- Phoenix waives PF Taylor Griffin

Nets, Hornets Interested In Dumars

By: Stephen Patterson

There have been multiple reports that Detroit's Joe Dumars is near the top of New Jersey's list for possible replacements when Rod Thorn leaves on July 15. New Orlean's GM Jeff Bower is also rumored to be on the list New Jersey has interest in. Dumars said today that he has no interest in the job, but he'd be borderline foolish not to consider it.

With the Detroit Pistons possibly being sold in the near future, the financial future of the franchise comes into serious question. Will the owner be a free-spending, carefree guy that just wants a winner? Does the potential new owner have a strong enough desire to win? Depending on the answers to some of these questions, Dumars may be finding himself under plenty of restrictions on what he can do in the very new future.

If he were to go to the New Jersey Nets, those questions have already been answered. Their new owner will spend any amount of money it takes to win a championship. He has also already told Nets fans he expects a title within the next five years. If Dumars were to make the move, he would be able to do virtually whatever he wanted. While he would probably have to verify moves with Prokhorov or his associates, but he would never have to worry about money being an issue.

The Nets are meeting with Bowers today, but if they really want the best guy, they might want to wait a bit before making an offer. While Bowers has done pretty well with the Hornets, he has overpaid for guys that haven't been close to worth the money. He's also made poor trade decisions in the past. The most notable was trading superstar Chris Paul's best friend Tyson Chandler for an overpaid and under achieving Emeka Okafor.

If they offer the job to Bowers and he takes it, look for New Orleans to make a very strong push for Dumars to join the Hornets. Dumars is a Louisiana native and would likely jump on the opportunity. While going home might be a good thing, going to a team that has an owner trying to dump money and talent over a team trying to spend every dollar possible to win a title is just bad business.