Record Last Year: 39-43, 3^rd in Central Division, 8^th in East

Who's New: SG Ben Gordon (free agent), SF Jonas Jerebko (draft), F DaJuan Summers (draft), PF Austin Daye (draft), PF Charlie Villanueva (free agent), F/C Fabricio Oberto

Who's Gone: F Amir Johnson, PF Antonio McDyess, coach Michael Curry

Free Agents: G Allen Iverson, F Walter Herrmann, PF Rasheed Wallace, C Kwame Brown (player option)

Estimated Salary Cap Status (excluding draft picks): At least $33.75 million (estimated $53.75 million) definitely committed for 09-10 (estimated $58 million cap)

Strengths: This team has some definite talent that they can build around. G Rodney Stuckey is developing into a true scorer, who can get in the paint at will and finish both near the rim and from long range. SF Tayshaun Prince is a brilliant defender (he has covered all positions except PG, and averaged a positive PER difference compared to opponents' counterparts in all 4 of those positions), who has ridiculously long arms, decent range, and, despite his slight frame, never gets hurt. SG Richard Hamilton is a genuine sharpshooter and natural scorer (career 19.3 points per 36 minutes, 17.9 per game), and he is also a pretty solid passer. Ben Gordon will likely take Hamilton's starting role, which may make him available to other teams via trade, but Gordon will be an excellent replacement. Gordon is a phenomenal scorer who excels under pressure (36.3 points per 48 minutes in clutch situations). Villanueva could be a solid rebounder and low-post offensive threat after averaging 21.7 points and 8.9 boards per 36 minutes last season. F/C Jason Maxiell can rebound and block shots well off the bench, and he's been known to eat babies (check out the T-shirt) along with weak shots (Tyson Chandler knows) for late evening snacks. Daye and Summers could possibly contribute off the bench (Daye's body needs to bulk up to allow him to use his talents in the physical NBA), and Jerebko, who some liken to Andres Nocioni, will probably continue to develop overseas. If they bring back AI, he'll offer elite scoring once again, but I'll bet they'll let him and Sheed (who has signed with the Celtics) walk.

Weaknesses: This team had some awful chemistry last year, and watching them play was a real eyesore. The huge changes in Detroit might mean more chemistry issues, but only time will tell. Selfish play from the likes of AI and Sheed, together with beef between Rip and Coach Curry (who has just been canned), doomed this team from the start last season. Sheed should be particularly ashamed of himself, mailing in game after game and his overall play smacked of apathy. His scoring average per 36 minutes was his lowest since his rookie season, and he shot a career-low 41.9% from the field, which is atrocious for a power forward. Luckily for the Pistons, his contract is up, and he can chuck up 3's and carry on with his shameful play somewhere else. Villanueva is a good start in trying to improve the post presence, but he'll need help, which the Pistons can't offer him presently. Dealing Hamilton (which apparently isn't likely to happen) could bring that help, but, as it stands, this team will have to play small-ball, and they will have to play at a high tempo, which doesn't suit Charlie V all that well. Also, while Stuckey is undoubtedly talented, he's not a true point guard, and the Pistons really don't have anyone on the roster who can run an offense like a true point guard. The biggest problem, though, will be defense. Aside from Prince and Maxiell, this team doesn't have very good defensive players, and talented guards in particular are going to light up the Pistons backcourt.

Outlook: This team's future is too difficult to predict. The Pistons have made some big changes, but there are still plenty of holes that need filling in this franchise, including a coach who can attempt to bring all the pieces together. I could see this team finishing anywhere from 5^th to 10^th in the East, and, while I predict that they'll make the playoffs, I'm not confident in any predictions I make concerning the Pistons.

Prediction: 44-40, 3^rd in Central Division, 7^th in East

-Salary Info. From HoopsHype

-Advanced Info. From Basketball-Reference & 82Games

-Additional Player Info. From ESPN & Yahoo!

The Detroit Pistons have agreed to terms with Cavaliers assistant coach John Kuester to be their new head coach, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told SI.com.

Another league source said the contract was for two seasons with a team option for a third year.

Kuester has been with the team since 2007, when he replaced Kenny Natt on Mike Brown's staff.

Kuester has been credited in revamping the team's lowly offense and turning it into a much improved unit. He served as the de facto "offensive coordinator" on Mike Brown's staff and handled a lot of the offensive duties last year.

LeBron Denies Commitment To Ariza

The 2010 circus continues to grow.

After Trevor Ariza claimed that LeBron told him he was staying past the 2010 season, LeBron's camp came out and denied that.

According to a source close to LeBron James, the current NBA Most Valuable Player did not tell free agent Trevor Ariza that he was for sure going to be with the Cavaliers past 2010.

So what's the real story here?

My best guess is that what Ariza said is probably true and LeBron's camp is trying to cover this up and act like nothing happened. Ariza has nothing to gain from putting this out in the press so why would he make this stuff up? It's not likely he did.

So why did LeBron's camp deny this if he's staying? This just seems like LeBron trying to keep things close to the vest and keep the media guessing, which he seems to love to do.

So even though the Cavs missed out on Ariza, more good news came from this than any other "loss" the Cavs have had this off-season.

(P.S. - the secret meeting in Los Angeles that Ferry and Brown went to, was supposedly to meet with Ariza to sway him to coming to the Cavs. Ariza supposedly considered signing with the Cavs, after agreeing with the Rockets, but decided to stay with Houston.)

Marion To Mavs, Not Cavs

The Cavs were supposedly interested in adding Shawn Marion but not it appears he'll be heading to Texas.

The Mavericks and Toronto Raptors, according to NBA front-office sources, are in advanced discussions on a sign-and-trade deal that would bring Marion to Dallas.

Shawn Marion and his agent, Dan Fegan, have been looking for a deal somewhere in the range of $10 million per year and they're not going to get that on the open market so the only way to get that money is through a sign-and-trade.

The most the Cavs could have offered for Marion was their full MLE (around $5.8 million). The Cavs weren't also likely to offer him long-term security, which could have been another sticking point.

While Marion could have added some much needed talent to the Cavs lineup, the fit would be questionable. Marion is best suited in an up-tempo offense where his size and shooting ability are disguised and his athletic ability is highlighted. Putting him in a half-court offense would highlight and disguise all the wrong things.

Ferry Is After Frye

With the "stretch" power forward market starting to thin out, the Cavs have started to set their sights on a long time Danny Ferry favorite in Channing Frye.

After making a free-agent scouting trip to Los Angeles on Sunday, Cavs GM Danny Ferry came home and hosted free-agent power forward Channing Frye on Monday at the team's practice facility in Independence. Frye is the type of "stretch" forward the Cavs are interested in during the free-agent period as they look to find big men who can hit jumpers when teams collapse on LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

While Frye may not be the name that most fans would want to see in connection with the Cavs, the PF options are starting to slim out and it's looking like if the Cavs want a decent, well-priced, stretch PF, then this is likely to be their best bet.

After having a breakout rookie season in New York, Frye was shipped off to Portland where he struggled to play and produce behind guys like LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla.

Frye is a guy that Ferry has been very high on for a long time, similarly too Delonte West, and could be a guy that the Cavs may ultimately end up with.

The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns are also supposedly in the running, with the Suns being the rumored favorites to land Frye's services.

McDyess Would Be Nice

Another one of the Cavs top PF targets is former Detroit Piston, Antonio McDyess.

McDyess is reportedly waiting until the Pistons have a new head coach to make a decision on whether or not he wants to re-sign with the Pistons.

In addition to the Pistons being interested, the Cavs (supposedly have offered their full MLE over two years), Magic and Spurs have McDyess in their sights, with the Spurs being the favorites as of now.

Hey LeBron! Your Boy J-Kidd Even Rejected The Knicks!

Yep, LeBron's "boy", Jason Kidd, turned down the Mecca of Basketball and the best city in the whole wide world (sarcasm) to stay in Dallas, Texas.

The free agent point guard has agreed to sign a three-year contract for more than $25 million to remain with Dirk Nowitzki and the rest of the Mavericks. The New York Knicks were among Kidd's suitors.

The Knicks were supposedly offering Kidd a similar deal, which was seemingly in opposition of their plan to clear as much cap space for the 2010 off-season as possible. The Knicks probably saw this as an opportunity to get one of LeBron's friends in New York, so they could make it easier for him to leave Cleveland.

So let's hope LeBron takes a page of his buddies book and does the same thing as J-Kidd: turn down NY to stay with his current team.

Wade 'I'll Stay If They Contend'

Looks like Dwyane Wade is taking a stand about his future in Miami.

"I'm going to listen. I owe the Miami Heat that much. I'm going to listen to what they have to say and I'm going to think about it," Wade told The Associated Press. "But right now, the way I feel, I want to make sure that we're on track to where I want us to be on track to before I sign back."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"I'm good with that," Wade said, "for one year."

Another season around .500, though, won't be as enticing.

"That's not enough for me," said Wade.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I've told Coach Riley this: All my life, all I've ever wanted to do is win and be put in a position where I can win and succeed," Wade said. "Build me a team. Put the pressure on me to win a championship. Give me a team and say, 'All right, you've got to go do it,' and I'll take that pressure. Give me guys that we feel can compete every year to win a championship. I don't want to go anywhere else."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"I want to make sure that we stay competitive and we have an opportunity to win championships, like I've done before," Wade said. "I don't want to be content with winning games. I don't want to win games. I want to win championships. That's what I'm all about."

DrewGooden The teams I wouldn't mind going to, Spurs, Cav's, Magic, and Golden St! What do you guys think?

The Boston Globe reported Wallace will sign for two years at the midlevel exception.

LeBron James will be spending some time with friend Warren Buffett at the prestigious Allen & Company media industry conference in Sun Valley, Idaho.

But it wasn't Buffett who got James and LRMR Marketing CEO Maverick Carter the invite to the ultra-elite five-day conference that has been labeled as "summer camp for billionaires." It is a place for executives and movers and shakers in the media industry to share ideas and sometimes strike major deals.

According to a source, James got his extremely hard-to-secure invite with help from Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert, who will be attending the event for the seventh consecutive year. Gilbert has been pushing for James to be included for the last couple years.

James and Gilbert are among about 260 guests and their families on the guest list, which is expected to include Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, NBA Commissioner David Stern, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettmen.

That pretty much wraps up what has been a crazy free agency period to start and there's going to be a lot more of that still to come.

Last night's show was chock full of goodies....

We kicked things off with an interview with Tom Hannon, who runs TheBaseballPage.com and has written a book about Wiffle Ball (yep!) called Backyard Ball (BackyardBall.net). Tom also has constructed a to-scale replica of Brooklyn's Ebbets Field (LittleEbbetsField.com).

After Tom, Al and I delved into the chaos in Pistons Land, with free agents coming and going and the coaching job still vacant; the Red Wings losses in free agency; the Tigers' feeble lineup; the Steve McNair tragedy; and our Jerks of the Week.

Some highlights:

Big Al (on the Pistons' coaching search): "You throw enough money at someone, you'll get them."

(on the Red Wings losing Marian Hossa): "The Red Wings are the best-run organization in sports. If anyone can make up for Hossa's loss, it's the Red Wings."

Eno (on Curtis Granderson): "I can't believe he made the All-Star team, to tell you the truth. He's fallen in love with the home run."

(on the Tigers' lineup): "I look at it and I think, 'Where's the pop?' This is NOT a division-winning lineup, I'm sorry. They need a bat."

There wasn't even any time for Word Association!

...Boston Celtics associate head coach Tom Thibodeau is the only other known candidate, but sources say Dumars was always planning to move quickly to Kuester if no deal with Johnson could be reached.

After a disappointing playoff run for the title last season, along with an injured Kevin Garnett, the Celtics look to head into the 09'-10' season with all the heart and determination needed to win another championship ring.

But are the Celtics Championship hopes "guaran-sheed" with this major signing?

Let's dig in.

Sheed brings an extreme amount of experience, talent, leadership, confidence, versatility, and intensity to the Boston Celtic's table. (Sometimes bringing a bit too much intensity, usually leading the league in technical fouls). He can back up Kevin Garnett, as well as start at the center position if needed to.

Wallace is a four-time All-Star and will be entering his 15th season in the NBA. He currently ranks fifth amongst active members in personal fouls (2,997) and fourth in 3PTM amongst NBA players 6'10" or taller with 982 career three-pointers made. 

The seven footer is one of the few players that you would absolutely love to have on your team, but would certainly despise to face up against.

Wallace is well-known for his intimidation tactics used on the NBA court, similar to those of Kevin Garnett's. Both players will now get an opportunity to team up and quite possibly emerge as the scariest duo in the league today.

But how will Sheed react when stepping onto the court in a completely new environment?

Throughout Wallace's fourteen seasons, the only time he averaged less than 30 MPG was during his rookie year with the Washington Bullets.

Will Rasheed be able to adjust and post his normal figures with the sudden decline in minutes?

How about his contract? Wallace resorted to the lowest signing contract of his career, the mid-level exception.

Did he really want to go to Boston or was it literally forced and pressured upon by the Celtics entire organization?

It was stated that the Boston Celtics knocked on Wallace's front door at 12 o'clock midnight, the minute the big man became a free-agent. In addition, at Wallace's three-hour conference with the Celtics, the organization basically tried to sway Rasheed by having Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett each attend the meeting.

Whatever Boston did, it worked.

And with the huge signings and trades made by the top contenders in the league (Cavaliers, Magic, Spurs, and Lakers) the Celtics made the smartest move that they could with what they had.

Will the Celtics win a championship during the upcoming season?

It is too early to know for sure, but one thing we do know is that they certainly improved this offseason with the acquistion of Rasheed Wallace.

With a resume consisting of a '96-'97 Rookie of the Year Award, one time MVP Award, nine time All-Star (including two MVP All-Star Awards), three time All-NBA First Team player, four scoring titles, and ranking fifth all time with a career 27.1 PPG, Allen Iverson truly deserves his nickname titled, "The Answer."

Although Iverson has yet to win a championship ring during his 14 seasons in the National Basketball Assocation, he is currently ranked as the 16th all-time leading scorer in NBA history, playing in just 886 games and dropping 23,983 points. When taking a look at the all time top 20 leading scorers in NBA History, Iverson is the only player to produce the amount of points he did in less than 900 games.

In addition, AI is also the only player listed under 6'4" in the top 20 all time leading scorers in NBA history. (If you never owned a pair of AI's, shame on you).

At the age of 34, many do believe that Iverson is nearing the edge of retirement, especially after a disappointing '08-'09 NBA season, averaging career-lows in PPG (17.4) and MPG (36.5), along with an ailing back injury. 

Now as a free-agent and searching for a new home, is the famous AI really all out of answers or does he have enough gas in the tank to exceed hall-of-famers Patrick Ewing and Jerry West in the all-time NBA scoring list?

Also, does Iverson still have what it takes to help bring a team into contention and lift himself from future Hall-of-Famer to a living Legend?

AI changed the game of basketball the day he first stepped foot onto the NBA court and will forever be remembered for his ridiculous crossover.

Iverson recently twittered stating,

"I'm a Free Agent, healthy again, and capable of signing with any team. My only preference will be to play for a coach that knows what I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night! Someone that knows how to best utilize my skills to make our team the very best that we can be. For those of you who thought that I was done, Think Again!"

Hopefully Iverson gets an opportunity to play on a team that has potential to win a championship.

If he does, we all know that he could be the one missing answer to the contending teams problem.

**Sources say Pat Riley is in contact with Iverson...oh boy.

Then here they are with Iverson gone and Rasheed Wallace aging a bit. And Richard "Rip" Hamilton can't do everything by himself. How can Detroit survive? I'll tell you why.

With two standout adds of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, the Pistons look like a viperous team coming into the 2009-10 season as they look to strangle their opponents.

And another good thing is that they haven't reached 30 yet, as they are both in there mid-20s, which is acceptable for this offense.

Bringing in Gordon really helps out Rip and Rodney Stuckey being the "sixth man" of the group. Gordon makes a monumental difference towards the squad. It'll look like the "good ol' days" when it was Isaiah Thomas, Vinnie Johnson, and Joe Dumars.

Now we know how Gordon can help, how the heck will Villanueva end up? I'll tell you how.

Villanueva helps replace Rasheed Wallace, who reportedly has received some pretty big attraction from the Boston Celtics, and according to ESPN.com, some appeal from the San Antonio Spurs.

Although Villanueva is probably better shooter, there is absolutely no way he can reinstate the defensive intelligence of Sheed. But besides that, the Pistons were built to be a younger and stronger team.

Wallace, I know, is the heart and soul of the Detroit Pistons, but he has to go and it looks he will...to the C's.

Many people were also lingering for the trade of Kwame Brown and Jason Maxiell to the New Orleans Hornets for Tyson Chandler and Julian Wright, but c'mon: Aren't Gordon and Villanueva better?

The Pistons look to be a powerhouse team and can be a threat in the Central Conference. But it's going to be a tougher division as the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks join the mix as both teams are dying for playoff-spot.

With Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Rip Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, and Tayshaun Prince leading the Pistons, they can be that team they were: a furious one.

And Gordon and Villanueva are the first step in the progress.