The Detroit Pistons have made the first major moves in the 2009 NBA Free Agency period by signing Ben Gordon and Charlie Villaneuva. The Pistons were one of a handful of teams that had substantial cap space and decided to make their moves early.
First, they signed Gordon early Wednesday morning. Gordon, the former guard of the Chicago Bulls, had been offered $50 million on multiple occasions by his former team. However, he was looking for a little more. Detroit complied by offering him a five year, $55 million contract.
Later on Wednesday afternoon, reports were confirmed that Villaneuva had accepted a deal with the Detroit Pistons. Villaneuva was a free agent after the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to match any offer. The Bucks, if they were to offer Villaneuva the same amount, would quickly approach the luxury tax line and would be unable to alter their roster too much without going over the salary cap and being forced to pay taxes. Reports have stated that Villaneuva agreed to a five year, $40 million contract.
Gordon will replace Allen Iverson who is also a free agent this season. Iverson was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons but was never able to fit into the lineup and produce at levels he use to. Disgruntled, Iverson unsurprisingly decided to test the market and leave the Pistons.
Villaneuva will replace Rasheed Wallace at power forward. Wallace is also a free agent who is looking to jump onto a team that is contending for a title next season. While the Boston Celtics seem to be the front-runner as the team Wallace would join, other teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic have strong interest.
At first, the Pistons publicly stated their main target was Carlos Boozer. However, Boozer decided to stay in his contract and remain in Utah. He will most likely opt out of his contract in 2010 and join the All-Star littered free agency. Early Wednesday morning, reports said that Gordon and Villaneuva were the Piston's main targets.
First, they signed Gordon early Wednesday morning. Gordon, the former guard of the Chicago Bulls, had been offered $50 million on multiple occasions by his former team. However, he was looking for a little more. Detroit complied by offering him a five year, $55 million contract.
Later on Wednesday afternoon, reports were confirmed that Villaneuva had accepted a deal with the Detroit Pistons. Villaneuva was a free agent after the Milwaukee Bucks decided not to match any offer. The Bucks, if they were to offer Villaneuva the same amount, would quickly approach the luxury tax line and would be unable to alter their roster too much without going over the salary cap and being forced to pay taxes. Reports have stated that Villaneuva agreed to a five year, $40 million contract.
Gordon will replace Allen Iverson who is also a free agent this season. Iverson was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons but was never able to fit into the lineup and produce at levels he use to. Disgruntled, Iverson unsurprisingly decided to test the market and leave the Pistons.
Villaneuva will replace Rasheed Wallace at power forward. Wallace is also a free agent who is looking to jump onto a team that is contending for a title next season. While the Boston Celtics seem to be the front-runner as the team Wallace would join, other teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Orlando Magic have strong interest.
At first, the Pistons publicly stated their main target was Carlos Boozer. However, Boozer decided to stay in his contract and remain in Utah. He will most likely opt out of his contract in 2010 and join the All-Star littered free agency. Early Wednesday morning, reports said that Gordon and Villaneuva were the Piston's main targets.
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