Sign up for our Detroit Pistons newsletter:
Subscribe
Thanks for signing up. You can sign up for more teams by clicking .

Deals with the Detroit Pistons: Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva Agree

Shady Botros by Correspondent Written on July 01, 2009
CHICAGO - MARCH 06:  Charlie Villanueva #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after he didn't get a call on an offensive play which he thought he was fouled on in the first quarter as Ben Gordon #7 of the Chicago Bulls looks on at the United Center on March 6, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agreees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

With the Pistons having the most money to work with this off season, it was no surprise Joe Dumars let it be known that next year’s team would have a new look.

The Pistons had 39 wins last season, and that just won’t do it. 

This morning, sources said that Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva were both being shown around the Pistons facilities. 

Gordon, at 26 years old, was the Bulls' leading scorer last season, averaging about 21 points per game. Many said that Gordon would return to Chicago if he was given enough money, but he rejected the Bulls' offer to re-sign him.

Gordon was actually looking for a reason to leave Chicago, since he was not happy with how the team handled his contract, but did work with Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng.

Gordon would bring a scoring punch that the Pistons thought they were getting with Allen Iverson. Many of us will never forget the epic overtime games of the Bulls-Celtics series this postseason in which Gordon averaged nearly 25 points per game, was virtually impossible to guard, and was hitting every clutch bucket the Bulls needed.

A few days ago, the Milwaukee Bucks showed that they were willing to let Charlie Villanueva move on.

The 24-year-old has a great inside-outside game which creates many match-up problems. He has a smooth jump shot from the outside, and he can go in and score down low.

Villanueva is coming off his best season, in which he averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game.

However, like Gordon, Villanueva’s commitment to defense is questionable. But he is extremely talented and provides the Pistons with a younger replacement for Rasheed Wallace.

Next year’s Pistons will certainly have a new look, new players, and a new coach. TNT analyst Doug Collins is the current front-runner for the Detroit job, although Avery Johnson and other candidates have emerged.

The Pistons will now shift their priorities to signing Antonio McDyess, although teams like the Spurs, Celtics, and Cavaliers are rumored to be interested.

(0)
...
Share This  
Vote Now! - Author Poll

Do you like the Signings of Gordon and Villanueva

  • Yes
  • No
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Do you like the Signings of Gordon and Villanueva

  • Yes

    81.6%
  • No

    18.4%
  • Total votes: 38
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

18 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

294
reads

18
comments

written on July 01, 2009 Breaking News

The best Pistons newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.