Friday’s NBA Rumors
Sep 15th, 2007 by Scott Spangler
Insidebayarea.com is reporting Gary Payton will make a decision regarding his future this week. The veteran point guard has played 18 years in the league, most recently with the Miami Heat. Payton, an Oakland native, is mulling retirement or possibly signing with the Golden State Warriors according to his agent.
According to the Detroit News, Flip Saunders, is strongly considering Antonio McDyess as the starting power forward alongside Rasheed Wallace on the front line. McDyess has reportedly been informed to that possibility. “He has come back to Detroit a month early to get a head start on his conditioning, something he hasn’t done since his knee surgeries.”
Also from the Detroit News, Rasheed Wallace has dropped 25 pounds since the end of the season. He has been around the facility all summer and is so skinny, Joe Dumars has taken to calling him Slim Jim.
The Houston Chronicle is reporting the agent for unsigned draft pick Carl Landry is frustrated with the Rockets’ and their contract proposal, calling the offer “disturbing and confusing.” The agent stated the team’s offer is not on par with other second-round selections and some undrafted free agents.
One question about Rasheed then, will he still be as all conquering and powerful if he is weighing much less or will he just merely be step or two quicker across the court? If it is the latter then the Pistons could well be set for another fine season but I would be worried that if it were the former then they may struggle without his dominance in the paint.