http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/0711mcdyess-ON.html
AP Source: Pistons offer McDyess four-year, $23 million deal
Associated Press
Jul. 11, 2004 08:05 PM
DETROIT - The Detroit Pistons have offered Antonio McDyess a four-year, $23 million contract, a source told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The NBA champion Pistons, according to a league source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, hope to sign the 6-foot-9 forward on Wednesday when the NBA's two-week player movement moratorium expires. The source said a fifth year is included in the deal, but it is not guaranteed.
McDyess has averaged 16.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks during his eight-year career, which has been plagued by injuries since the 2000-01 season.
He played 42 games last season - 24 in Phoenix and 18 with New York - and averaged 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds.
McDyess played just 10 games for Denver during the 2001-02 season - one season after averaging 20.8 points and 12.1 rebounds - and missed all of the 2002-03 season with knee problems.
If McDyess signs with the Pistons, he will likely fill the void left by reserve center Mehmet Okur, a restricted free agent who has agreed to sign with the Utah Jazz.
Detroit is not expected to match the offer to Okur because its top priority is signing Rasheed Wallace, who helped the Pistons knock off the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars traveled to Philadelphia almost a week ago to speak at Wallace's camp, and to talk to him about returning to Detroit.
McDyess made his regular-season debut last season with the Knicks against Detroit in December, nearly 14 months after breaking his kneecap in a preseason game.
New York later sent the former All-Star and Olympian to Phoenix as part of the Stephon Marbury trade.
McDyess, a former Alabama star, was picked second overall in 1995 by the Los Angeles Clippers and his draft rights were traded to Denver.
After two strong seasons with the Nuggets, he was sent to Phoenix, where he stayed only one season, before going back to Denver for three seasons as a free agent
Denver traded him - again - after the 2001-02 season to New York for Marcus Camby and Nene Hilario.
McDyess looked spectacular in three exhibition games for the Knicks prior to the 2002-03 season, but his fortunes changed in the fourth game when he crumpled to the floor holding his knee - the same one he had surgically repaired the previous season.
McDyess was distraught later that night as he struggled to come to grips with the possibility of yet another career-threatening injury.
It turned out to be so serious McDyess needed two operations to correct it, but he was able to average 22 minutes in 42 games last season in New York and Phoenix.
AP Source: Pistons offer McDyess four-year, $23 million deal
Associated Press
Jul. 11, 2004 08:05 PM
DETROIT - The Detroit Pistons have offered Antonio McDyess a four-year, $23 million contract, a source told The Associated Press on Sunday.
The NBA champion Pistons, according to a league source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, hope to sign the 6-foot-9 forward on Wednesday when the NBA's two-week player movement moratorium expires. The source said a fifth year is included in the deal, but it is not guaranteed.
McDyess has averaged 16.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks during his eight-year career, which has been plagued by injuries since the 2000-01 season.
He played 42 games last season - 24 in Phoenix and 18 with New York - and averaged 6.9 points and 6.1 rebounds.
McDyess played just 10 games for Denver during the 2001-02 season - one season after averaging 20.8 points and 12.1 rebounds - and missed all of the 2002-03 season with knee problems.
If McDyess signs with the Pistons, he will likely fill the void left by reserve center Mehmet Okur, a restricted free agent who has agreed to sign with the Utah Jazz.
Detroit is not expected to match the offer to Okur because its top priority is signing Rasheed Wallace, who helped the Pistons knock off the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars traveled to Philadelphia almost a week ago to speak at Wallace's camp, and to talk to him about returning to Detroit.
McDyess made his regular-season debut last season with the Knicks against Detroit in December, nearly 14 months after breaking his kneecap in a preseason game.
New York later sent the former All-Star and Olympian to Phoenix as part of the Stephon Marbury trade.
McDyess, a former Alabama star, was picked second overall in 1995 by the Los Angeles Clippers and his draft rights were traded to Denver.
After two strong seasons with the Nuggets, he was sent to Phoenix, where he stayed only one season, before going back to Denver for three seasons as a free agent
Denver traded him - again - after the 2001-02 season to New York for Marcus Camby and Nene Hilario.
McDyess looked spectacular in three exhibition games for the Knicks prior to the 2002-03 season, but his fortunes changed in the fourth game when he crumpled to the floor holding his knee - the same one he had surgically repaired the previous season.
McDyess was distraught later that night as he struggled to come to grips with the possibility of yet another career-threatening injury.
It turned out to be so serious McDyess needed two operations to correct it, but he was able to average 22 minutes in 42 games last season in New York and Phoenix.
