Detroit Pistons Blog – Page 29 – NBA Blog

Arn Tellem is happy

“Superagent” Arn Tellem is a legend who, after achieving incredible success, decided to take his career in a different direction. Here’s the Detroit Free Press:

Tellem was one of sports’ king-makers. The lead character of the successful HBO series “Arliss” was loosely based on his career. He single-handedly altered the way NBA teams looked at 18-year-old draft prospects when, in the 1996 draft, he craftily steered a gangly teenager named Kobe Bryant to the Charlotte Hornets, who traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers a couple weeks later.

“At the end of the day,” Tellem said this week, “I was at an age where I had a great run and a great career. But I was at a stage of my life where I wanted more, something that could effectuate more change to a larger number of people. The great thing about the agent business was the one-on-one relationships. I was very proud advising them and trying to steer them into making the right decisions in their lives. But I was at the point in my life where I wanted a broader platform.”

One year after accepting Pistons owner Tom Gores’ offer to become vice-chairman of Palace Sports & Entertainment, Tellem says he has never been happier. He said he’s more connected to the greater Detroit community in his first 12 months here than he was in the more than 30 years he lived in Los Angeles.

Pistons re-sign Andre Drummond

The Pistons officially re-signed young star center Andre Drummond to a multi-year contract today.

The deal is reportedly a $130 million dollar contract, over five years.

According to the Detroit Free Press, “the agreement was reached July 1 – the first day of the NBA’s free agency moratorium. But delaying the signing allowed the Pistons use cap space to sign three players to add depth, with Drummond’s signing putting them over the $94 million salary cap, which was exactly how Drummond and the organization planned it out back in October when he decided to wait on the extension.”

Drummond, 22, appeared in 81 games (all starts) last season, averaging a career-high 16.2 points (.521 FG), a career-high 14.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks in career-high 32.9 minutes per game. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team and was selected to the NBA All-Star team, becoming the first Piston since Allen Iverson (2009) and first Piston draft pick since Grant Hill (2000) to be named an all-star. Drummond also helped Detroit reach the post-season for the first time since 2009, posting averages of 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 32.8 minutes in his first playoff appearance.

Pistons Owner Tom Gores praised Drummond’s development as a player and as a representative of the franchise.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Andre from the time he first came into the league to where he is today, having matured into this incredible talent. Beyond his evolution as a basketball player, it’s been equally rewarding watching him mature as a young man,” said Gores. “Andre has the character and dedication to help our franchise achieve greatness. I’m proud of him and his family, the way they’ve embraced Detroit and the way Detroit has embraced them. I’m excited for all of us about the years to come.”

Among NBA leaders last season, the 6-11, 279-pound center ranked first in rebounding (14.8 rpg), first in total rebounds (1,198), first in offensive rebounding (4.9 orpg), first in total offensive rebounds (395) and first in double-doubles (career-high 66). Only Pistons Legend and Hall of Famer Bob Lanier recorded more double-doubles in a single season (69 in 1972-73) with Detroit. Drummond also led the NBA in 20-plus rebound games (9) and 15-plus point and 15-plus rebound games (30). He became just the third Piston to lead the NBA in rebounding (Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace) and notched his third consecutive season with 1,000-plus points, 1,000-plus rebounds and 100-plus blocks.

“Re-signing Andre was a top priority for us this offseason,” said President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Stan Van Gundy. “The offensive and defensive numbers speak for themselves, but more importantly, his commitment to the organization has allowed us to put together a young group of players that will grow together and continue to move the franchise forward.”

The Mount Vernon, N.Y. native started the 2015-16 season on record pace by averaging 18-plus points and 18-plus rebounds through the first 10 games, becoming the first NBA player to do so since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76. Drummond collected 376 rebounds during the first 20 games of the season, becoming the youngest player (22 years and 116 days) in NBA history to accomplish that feat. He scored a career-high 33 points (14-25 FG) and grabbed 21 rebounds at Chicago (12/18), marking his first career 30/20 game and the first 30/20 game by a Piston since Dennis Rodman recorded 34 points and 23 rebounds vs. Denver (1/2/91). He also grabbed a career-high 29 rebounds vs. Indiana (11/3) and blocked a season-high five shots twice [vs. Miami (11/25) and vs. Denver (2/10)].

Originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the ninth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Drummond holds career averages of 13.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.2 steals and 29.7 minutes in 304 career games. During his sophomore season he averaged 13.2 rebounds, the highest average in NBA history by a player 20 years or younger and was named MVP of the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star 2014. Drummond also became the youngest player in NBA history to record 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 100 blocks and 100 steals while shooting better than 60% from the field. During his rookie campaign, he earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

Pistons sign rookie Michael Gbinije

The Pistons have signed rookie guard Michael Gbinije to a multi-year contract.

Gbinije, a 6-7, 200-pound guard out of Syracuse, was selected by the Pistons with the 49th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He appeared in one game in the recently completed Orlando Pro Summer League, recording 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in 33 minutes.

A native of Hartford, Conn., Gbinije averaged 11.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 29.2 minutes in 101 career games at Syracuse. Last season, he averaged a career-high 17.5 points, a career-high 4.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 37.9 minutes in 37 games, including the NCAA tournament. As a senior, Gbinije was named to the All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Defensive Team. He scored in double-digits in all 34 regular-season games, including a career-high 34 points against North Carolina State on Senior Day.

Pistons sign Boban Marjanovic

The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent center Boban Marjanovic (BO-bahn Mar-YAWN-oh-vich) to a multi-year contract.

Marjanovic’s deal is reportedly a $21 million dollar contract, over three years.

In very limited minutes with the Spurs, the giant-sized center showed big flashes of potential. It’s best to never read too much into limited-minute stats, but there’s legit reason to be excited to see what he can do with more time. Though on the Pistons he’ll still be a backup, playing behind center Andre Drummond.

Marjanovic, 27, appeared in 54 games as a rookie last season with the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 5.5 points (60.3% FG, 76.3% FT) and 3.5 rebounds in 9.4 minutes. He scored in double-figures 12 times, including a career-high 22 points (7-9 FG, 8-8 FT) at Dallas (4/13). Marjanovic also notched three double-doubles, grabbed 10-plus rebounds four times and became the first Spurs player in franchise history to record at least 12 rebounds in 15 minutes-or-less when he grabbed 12 rebounds in 15 minutes vs. Phoenix (12/30).

The 7-3, 290-pound center began playing professionally in Europe in 2006 and most recently played with Crvena Zvezda Telekom Beograd of the Adriatic League from 2013-15. Marjanovic helped Crvena Zvezda win both the Adriatic League and Serbian League Championships in 2015, was named to the 2015 All-Euroleague First Team and was named the All-Serbian League and All-Adriatic League Player of the Year. A native of Zajecar, Serbia, Marjanovic has also played professionally for Hemo-farm Vrsac (2006-10), CSKA Moskow (2010-11), Nizhny Novgorod (2011-12) and Mega Vizura (2012-13).

Pistons sign Ish Smith and Jon Leuer

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has signed free agent guard Ish Smith and free agent forward Jon Leuer to multi-year contracts.

Smith’s deal is reportedly an $18 million dollar contract over three years.

Leuer’s deal is reportedly a $42 million dollar contract over four years.

Smith, 27, appeared in 77 games (53 starts) with Philadelphia and New Orleans last season, averaging career highs in points (12.6 ppg), assists (6.5 apg), rebounds (4.0 rpg) and minutes (29.1 mpg). He started the season with New Orleans where he averaged 8.9 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 assists and 22.9 minutes in 27 games before being traded to Philadelphia on December 24, 2015. In the 50 games following the trade, Smith averaged 14.7 points, a team-high 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 32.4 minutes with Philadelphia. He set new single-game career-highs in points [28 vs. Toronto (1/9/16)], assists [16 at New York (1/18/16)] and rebounds [14 at Portland (3/26/16)] a year ago. Smith scored 10-plus points 49 times, 20-plus points 15 times and dished out 10-plus assists 14 times last season.

The 6-0, 175-pound guard has tallied career NBA averages of 5.8 points, 3.3 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 16.3 minutes in 323 games with Houston, Memphis, Golden State, Orlando, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Philadelphia. The Pistons will be the 10th team Smith has played for, joining Louis Amundson and Drew Gooden as the only active NBA players to play for 10 different NBA teams. The Charlotte, N.C. native was undrafted out of Wake Forest in the 2010 NBA Draft. At Wake Forest, Smith averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals as a senior. He finished his college career with the Deacons as the only player in school history to record 1,000 points, 600 assists and 500 rebounds in a career and ranks second all-time in assists (612).

“We’re pleased to welcome both Ish Smith and Jon Leuer to the organization,” said Stan Van Gundy, Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach. “Ish is a player that will give us quality depth at the point guard position. He’s efficient scoring the basketball, posted career-high numbers in assists per game a year ago and rebounds well for his size. Jon is a player that adds size and versatility to our roster. His outside shooting ability gives us offensive flexibility and his ability to guard the post will help from a defensive standpoint. We look forward to integrating both their talents into our system.”

Leuer, 27, appeared in a career-high 67 games (27 starts) with Phoenix last season, averaging 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 18.7 minutes per game. He recorded a career-high 10 double-doubles, scored 10-plus points 26 times, 20-plus points three times and grabbed 10-plus rebounds 10 times. In 26 starts, Leuer averaged 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 51.4 percent from the field, 40.4 percent from behind the arch and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line. He recorded his best offensive stretch of the season from December 2-14, scoring in double-figures eight straight games. The 6-10, 228-pound forward recorded 16 points and a career-high-tying 14 rebounds in 20 minutes vs. L.A. Clippers (4/13/16), marking the first time since 1983-84 that an NBA player posted at least 16 points and 14 rebounds in 20 minutes or fewer.

The five-year pro has tallied career NBA averages of 5.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 13.7 minutes in 253 games (45 starts) with Milwaukee, Cleveland, Memphis and Phoenix. Leuer was drafted 40th overall by Milwaukee in the 2011 NBA Draft. The Minnesota native played four collegiate seasons at Wisconsin where he averaged 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 123 games. He finished his career with the Badgers ranked 12th in total points (1,376), 10th in blocks (85) and was one of eight players in program history to record at least 1,300 points and 500 rebounds.

Jon Leuer will sign with Pistons

It is an amazing time in the league to be a free agent and a bench-level player. Here’s the Detroit Free Press reporting on the Pistons:

The Detroit Pistons have their stretch power forward.

And he won’t be Al Horford.

Jon Leuer’s agency, Priority Sports, announced this afternoon on Twitter the 27-year-old power forward has agreed to a four-year deal with the Pistons.

A person with firsthand knowledge of the situation confirmed the contract will be worth $41 million.

Leuer, who stands 6 feet 10 and 228 pounds, is coming off a season in which he shot 38.2% (42-for-110) from three-point range with the Phoenix Suns. He is a career 37.5% three-point shooter.

Ish Smith to sign with Pistons

Ish Smith did some fun things on the Sixers last season, averaging 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 50 games for Philly. But he’ll be bringing his talents to Detroit. Here’s the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting:

Ish Smith wanted to resign with the 76ers, but knew it wasn’t a guarantee. And he wasn’t going to sit around and wait.

So the point guard has agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, according to a source. The Detroit News first reported that Smith reached an agreement. A contract may not be signed until July 7.

“He wanted to come back to Philly, but they never called him,” the source said.

Pistons will likely keep Andre Drummond

Here’s the Detroit Free Press on the Pistons and rugged young center Andre Drummond, who are looking to stick together:

ESPN.com reported early this morning that the Detroit Pistons and center Andre Drummond are nearing agreement on a five-year deal in the $130-million range.

The deal — which was widely expected — would make the 22-year-old the highest-paid player in Pistons history.

The only variable is whether Drummond negotiates a player-option year, meaning that he could choose to opt out before the fifth season to hit the open market again.

The Pistons would prefer a five-year term, but remember, Drummond agreed to wait on the extension that he could have signed last off-season to give the Pistons extra salary cap space.

Darrun Hilliard suffers lower back stress fracture

Detroit Pistons guard Darrun Hilliard suffered a stress fracture of the lower back and will not participate in 2016 NBA Orlando Summer League. Hilliard will be evaluated by Detroit Pistons team physicians and a rehab process and timeline for his return to basketball activities will be determined once the diagnosis is complete.

Pistons trade Jodie Meeks to Magic

The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has acquired a 2019 conditional second round pick from the Orlando Magic in exchange for guard Jodie Meeks.

Meeks, 28, signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons in 2014. In 63 games with Detroit, he averaged 10.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 23.9 minutes. Last season, Meeks suffered a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during the second game of the season and only appeared in three games, averaging 7.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 14.3 minutes. The 6-4 guard averaged 11.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.4 minutes in 60 games during the 2014-15 season, but missed the first 22 games after suffering a stress reaction in his lower back during the preseason.

The seven-year veteran has played for Milwaukee, Philadelphia, L.A. Lakers and Detroit and holds career averages of 9.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 24.3 minutes in 418 games.