Re: Pistons Planning To Re-Sign Wallace and Okur: Ainge You Moron

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I love how all of a sudden, Rasheed Wallace, who everyone in 
Portland wanted to give away for a dime bag and a bag of zig zags
because he was such a disruptive, apathetic headcase, is now going
to be the centerpiece of this Pistons dynasty.  Along with fellow
Hall of Famer Mehmet Okur.  It's a nice pickup for the Pistons,
and I can see the logic of those who criticize Danny for helping a
rival, but I don't really see how this makes Detroit world-beaters.


Josh
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <celtics@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 12:49 PM
Subject: Pistons Planning To Re-Sign Wallace and Okur: Ainge You Moron


> From Chad Ford:
> 
> "Unbelievable," one GM told Insider. 
> 
> "I've never seen a more lopsided deal in my career," another moaned. 
> "They're morons," claimed another executive referring to Danny Ainge 
> and Billy Knight. "I can't believe they just did that." 
> 
> "Detroit just shifted the balance of power in the East," another 
> said. "I think they just became the team to beat." 
> 
> AND
> 
> The Pistons may be the center of the universe again. All eyes will 
> be on Rasheed Wallace and Mehmet Okur in Detroit. Both are top-six 
> free agents this year. 
> Here's the bad news for those thinking that Thursday's trade means 
> that one of them is available. Pistons president Joe Dumars wants to 
> re-sign both Wallace and Okur this summer if they both get along 
> over the next 30-plus games. 
> 
> Sources claim that Wallace has already sent out feelers about 
> staying in Detroit, quashing the notion that he'll only play for the 
> Knicks next season. With the Pistons looking at between $9 and $11 
> million in cap room, can Joe D get it done? 
> 
> The Pistons probably have the cap space and flexibility to work 
> something out. If they can get Okur to sign for the mid-level 
> exception (expected to be around $5.1 to $5.5 this year) then they 
> can use their Bird Rights to get Wallace. If Okur is commanding more 
> money on the open market, the Pistons can always try to package a 
> few more players to a team with cap space to get far enough under to 
> sign them both this summer. 
> 
> That's bad news for just about everyone in the East. 
> 
> Ray