Pistons sign Dupree

[Burn531]

DETROIT (AP) — Ronald Dupree agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Pistons on Monday, adding depth to one of his former teams.

The small forward averaged 2.2 points and 7.4 minutes for the Minnesota Timberwolves last year.

Detroit traded Dupree to the Timberwolves just before the 2005 season for a second-round pick to clear a roster spot for rookie guard Alex Acker.

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Dupree averaged 3.2 points in 47 games two years ago for the Pistons after signing a two-year contract with the team.

The 6-foot-7 forward scored 6.2 points in 19 minutes per game as a rookie with Chicago in the 2003-04 season after almost making Detroit's team as an undrafted free agent. He played in 47 games, starting eight, for the Bulls.

http://www.mlive.com/sportsflash/basketball/index.ssf?/base/sports-18/1153159760221210.xml&storylist=michigannba

[Pistons < Spurs]

WOW ...


I never thought Dupree would be back on the team.

I suppose he adds depth to the roster ... but this signing begs the question of Delfino's future (and Ackers aswell) in Detroit. I strongly suspect we trade him before the deadline next year. We'll showcase him a bit early in the year, and get whatever we can for him.

Too bad, I think Delfino will be a player.

[ducks]

I think delfino gets out
pistons are cleaning house with players that question coaches
delfino can not get along with larry or flip
see you

[Lp26]

Ok, this isn't funny anymore.

This better be part of some sort of trade. :pctoss

[jacobdrj]

WTF?

So, what was the point of trading Evans? What, is Dupree more content to sit on the bench than Evans was? Because Dupree is EXACTLY what the Pistons needed. Another guy to disrupt the team on the rare occasion were Tay sits down.

[DarkReign]

Fuck...

[Taco]

http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20060103/dupres_48827.jpg
Billy Joe Dupree?

[Vizzini]

With all of the hand ringing by Piston fans this offseason, you'd think we are headed to the lottery. I am not going to join the whole doom and gloom train just yet, b/c nothing is won or lost in July. I remember all of the Spur's fans being geeked last year b/c they won the Michael Finley sweepstakes. Everyone had them down for a repeat, but it didn't happen. The team that had what appeared to be the most unusual and head scratching offseason just won the NBA title. The Pistons play in a conference that is getting better, but Miami is just a Shaq injury from being good not great, Cleveland desperately needs a Scottie Pippen clone, Chicago can stop people from scoring points, but can they score any themselves? Indiana just imploded and is starting over, Philly isn't going anyhwere and neither is Boston. New Jersey is a darkhorse, but their time may be running out w/ Kidd being a year older and Vinsanity and RJ having some injury problems in their past. I know Detroit hasn't gotten better, and on paper has taken some huge losses, but they still have a dog in the fight and that is fine by me. Detroit plays tougher when no one expcets them to win, so who knows what is going to happen. I guess I am just trying to wait until the season is a couple of months old and we see how everything is going to play out.

[jacobdrj]

The fear is not that the Pistons will not make the POs, the fear is that the Pistons will slip into medeocrity, where even the Draft can't be looked farward to.

[Vizzini]

The fear is not that the Pistons will not make the POs, the fear is that the Pistons will slip into medeocrity, where even the Draft can't be looked farward to.


How? They still have four pretty good guys in their starting lineup, 3 of which are in their prime, a coach, who has his defensive weaknesses, but with the new rules made for scoring, is going to be more of an asset, they didn't overpay and burden their salary cap for a great player, whose #'s have dropped in the past three years and a player whose attitude worsened over the past twelve months. I love Ben Wallace's game, but they don't need him at that price. They have taken a few steps back, but they are far from dead.

[jacobdrj]

They were on the decline the way they were being played. Couldn't have gotten much worse in that respect. But now the personel has actualy gotten worse. The way Flip Saunders works, he will play favorates. You are right Vizzini, they have some pretty good guys left, just enough to keep them 'competitive' but not anywhere near enough to actualy win a title (barring luck).

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Welcome to the wide world of free agency bewilderment, Pistons fans.

[Kori Ellis]

It's probably an unguaranteed/partially guaranteed deal. Don't freak out.

[FreshPrince22]

I think we can all agree this makes the Pistons the favorites. Supa Dupe puts us over the top.

[Bob Lanier]

:lol Pistons draft Greg Oden...

[JamStone]

Not a great signing by any means, but he adds depth at the small forward spot, which was a need. He won't demand minutes, but he will play hard when called upon. I think he's just there for insurance if there's an injury and not play most of the season, and because he has good relationships with the organization and many of the current players, so he should help in the locker room. I don't like it if he plays more than Delfino. But, if Delfino is traded, then it makes some sense.

[ABDENOUR POWER]

I have nothing against adding depth, but I think this is the end for Delfino. Too bad, I really believe he'll be a solid player. :(

[jacobdrj]

I am not freaked by how long his deal is, only that he will never get off the pine... Worthless signing, barring Tay getting injured.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Well with that signing I think that pretty much locks up the east for us.

[ShoogarBear]

Once again: Beno for Delfino? :spin

[timvp]

Just be glad you guys didn't blow more than half of your MLE of Francisco Freakin' Elson.

[Tanya]

I think both Murray and Dupree are good signing. They either will be used for a trade or will add depth to our bench.

Both Davis and Delfino will not have much playing time. I say trade them for Bonzi.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Just be glad you guys didn't blow more than half of your MLE of Francisco Freakin' Elson.


Thanks now I feel better You me and Dupree :lol

[FreshPrince22]

I have nothing against adding depth, but I think this is the end for Delfino. Too bad, I really believe he'll be a solid player. :(

If we lose Delfino and Acker because of Flip friggin Murray and Ronald Dupree I am officially becoming a Hawks fans.

[jacobdrj]

Fresh Prince... there will always be Paris...

[jochhejaam]

So far we've lost Ben (no offense), Cato (totally useless to us) and Evans (big disappointment) and have added Nazr (More offense, good rebounding, bad hands), Murray (streaky scorer, no D) and Dupree (athletic, plays within his limits, good at putbacks around the basket). In addition to this we return 3 all-stars and Tayshaun. I'm optimistic.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Pistons bring back Dupree
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
By A. Sherrod Blakely

AUBURN HILLS -- When Rasheed Wallace or one of his Detroit Pistons teammates cracked jokes during training camp last year, chances were pretty good that, at some point, they would be directed at Ronald Dupree.

The 6-foot-7 forward was well-liked by his teammates in Detroit.

Apparently, the Pistons front office also feels pretty good about him because Dupree is back in Detroit, with a two-year contract that includes a player option after next season.

"He's excited about coming back to Detroit," said agent Mark Bartelstein, who also represents Pistons guard Lindsey Hunter. "He enjoyed his time there, and is looking forward to getting back together with the guys up there."

With Carlos Delfino and Maurice Evans (recently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers) slotted to play most of the backup minutes at small forward last season, Dupree was traded to Minnesota for a second-round draft pick just before the season. With the Timberwolves, Dupree averaged 2.2 points per game in 36 games, both career lows. He played in 47 games for the Pistons during the 2004-2005 season and 47 games with Chicago as a rookie in 2003-2004.

While Dupree, 26, might be Detroit's last free-agent signing, the Pistons might not be done making deals.

There's speculation that Dupree may give the Pistons another athletic player off the bench in case they deal Delfino in a sign-and-trade package. Atlanta's Al Harrington, one of the top free agents still available, is a player the Pistons might pursue.

A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached at [email protected] or mlive.com/forums/pistons.


If we can get Harrington in a S&T for delfino (and Acker?) I'd be amazed ... and confident in a return to the Finals.

[bdubya]

Once again: Beno for Delfino? :spin

Depends how you pronounce "Beno". If it rhymes with "Delfino", then hell, why not?

[ABDENOUR POWER]

If we can get Harrington in a S&T for delfino (and Acker?) I'd be amazed ... and confident in a return to the Finals.

First of all, I don't see this happening since Atlanta is already loaded with swing players. But, if something could be worked up, it would be HUGE. Our chances for serious contention next year would skyrocket.

[Bob Lanier]

Harrington is a piece of shit, and would do absolutely nothing in the playoffs. He's a less athletic McDyess with all the negative attitude problems people dislike about Murray.

But, Saunders would like him. And, it's possible that the Pistons can get to the Finals - just exceedingly unlikely.

[himat]

Joe is stockpiling for a trade.