ducks
08-31-2004, 12:29 PM
There's no room for Paulding -- yet
August 31, 2004
Rickey Paulding turned to Israel to save his season.
Since the Pistons already have 15 contracts guaranteed, Paulding, the 54th pick from June's NBA draft, wasn't going to get one from them. Instead he signed a one-year deal to play for Hapoel Jerusalem.
"We think this can be a great opportunity for Rickey to continue to improve and to get experience at a professional level against talented players," vice president of operations John Hammond said Monday. "This can only make him a better player."
The Pistons retain his rights, and expect Paulding, a 22-year-old swingman, to bid for a spot again in 11 months, during summer league play. It wasn't so much that he didn't impress this time around as it was a case of there being no room.
"That's exactly what it was," Hammond said.
Paulding, from Detroit Renaissance, finished ninth in career scoring at Missouri with 1,673 points, and fifth all-time in three-pointers with 191. He can cut to the basket and defend, but faced a depth chart that included Carlos Delfino, Lindsey Hunter and Darvin Ham.
One of those guaranteed contracts, however, might be moved before training camp opens, because president Joe Dumars isn't keen to carry seven big men. Elden Campbell could be the top candidate for relocation.
By Helene St. James
www.freep.com/sports/pist...040831.htm (http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/metro31e_20040831.htm)
August 31, 2004
Rickey Paulding turned to Israel to save his season.
Since the Pistons already have 15 contracts guaranteed, Paulding, the 54th pick from June's NBA draft, wasn't going to get one from them. Instead he signed a one-year deal to play for Hapoel Jerusalem.
"We think this can be a great opportunity for Rickey to continue to improve and to get experience at a professional level against talented players," vice president of operations John Hammond said Monday. "This can only make him a better player."
The Pistons retain his rights, and expect Paulding, a 22-year-old swingman, to bid for a spot again in 11 months, during summer league play. It wasn't so much that he didn't impress this time around as it was a case of there being no room.
"That's exactly what it was," Hammond said.
Paulding, from Detroit Renaissance, finished ninth in career scoring at Missouri with 1,673 points, and fifth all-time in three-pointers with 191. He can cut to the basket and defend, but faced a depth chart that included Carlos Delfino, Lindsey Hunter and Darvin Ham.
One of those guaranteed contracts, however, might be moved before training camp opens, because president Joe Dumars isn't keen to carry seven big men. Elden Campbell could be the top candidate for relocation.
By Helene St. James
www.freep.com/sports/pist...040831.htm (http://www.freep.com/sports/pistons/metro31e_20040831.htm)