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3 time DPOY
Ben is not deserving of that type of money. A 31 year old who relies solely on his athleticism because he lacks height and shooting ability is not a good idea to spend a lot of money on.
3 time DPOY
4 time, actually, but the Mav fan is right.
... and this is just the bottom limit. Most likely, he'll end up getting paid 60-some million by the Bulls.
Bulls vs. Pistons: Ben Wallace has 2 offers
By Krista Jahnke
Detroit Free Press
(MCT)
DETROIT - As other NBA free agents came to quick conclusions and signed new contracts over the weekend, Ben Wallace pondered the two deals on his plate and waited to see if others would top it.
The Pistons have offered a four-year deal worth approximately $48 million to keep their defensive-minded center in Detroit. And the Chicago Bulls, who sent coach Scott Skiles and vice president of basketball John Paxson to Detroit, have started bidding at closer to $52 million for four seasons.
Wallace is an unrestricted free agent and can verbally agree to a deal at any time, but he can't sign a contract until July 12 at the earliest.
Only four teams - Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte and Toronto - have the salary cap space to target Wallace without arranging a sign-and-trade. Of those, only Chicago has shown real interest to this point.
Any team can try to acquire Wallace through a sign-and-trade, and the Philadelphia 76ers' Web site reported Saturday that the team called his agent, Arn Tellem.
The Pistons, meanwhile, also have placed calls to William Phillips, the Detroit-based agent who represents Sacramento shooting guard Bonzi Wells. Although Wallace is the team's primary concern, Wells also is high on Detroit's summer shopping list.
Wells dominated the Kings series against San Antonio in the playoffs, a showing that might have raised his worth around the league.
He reportedly wants a deal for five years starting near $8 million a season, a figure the Pistons might not be willing to pay, especially since Wells would come off the bench. But he fits the profile of one of their primary needs - a scorer who can slash and attack defenses off the dribble.
The Sacramento Bee reported Sunday that general manager Geoff Petrie started the bidding for Wells at something more than the roughly $5-million trade exception. The Denver Nuggets are also high on Wells.
5 years 40 million for Wells?
yowzers....
Pistons' initial offer irks Wallace
Center expected it would be for more than $49.6 million, but hasn't closed door on team.
Chris McCosky/The Detroit News
AUBURN HILLS -- The Pistons' negotiations to re-sign free agent Ben Wallace have gotten off to a rough start.
Wallace, in an interview with The Detroit News on Sunday, said he wasn't pleased with the Pistons' initial offer.
"It was disappointing," he said. "It was not at all what I expected."
The Pistons' initial offer was a four-year deal starting at $11.5 million and would pay him $49.6 million over four years. It would make Wallace the highest-paid player on the team next season, eclipsing Rasheed Wallace's salary by $100,000.
Pistons president Joe Dumars, reached by e-mail, said he didn't want to negotiate through the newspaper and declined comment.
Wallace met with Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson and coach Scott Skiles in Detroit on Saturday. He characterized the meeting as "real good" but added that no official offer was extended.
Reports of the Bulls offering a contract starting at $13 million or $14 million were overstated, as were reports of the Bulls offering a five-year deal.
"I ain't looking for more than four years," said Wallace, who will turn 32 on Sept. 10.
Wallace said he expects to hear from several other teams, including Washington, New York and Cleveland, as early as today. Those teams don't have the salary cap space to sign Wallace, but would be looking to facilitate a sign-and-trade in case the Pistons and Wallace reach an impasse.
They are not yet at that point, Wallace said.
"No, the door's not closed (on the Pistons)," he said. "I know it's a business and they have to run their business."
Wallace also understands that it was only an initial offer and those typically are lower than what the Pistons truly intend to pay.
"I just thought we had a pretty good run there (with the Pistons) and I thought the offer would have been a bit better," he said. "I didn't think we had to really negotiate like that at this point. I just thought that initial offer wasn't altogether fair."
It is somewhat interesting that the Bulls would visit with Wallace and not leave him with an offer. Initially, Wallace didn't figure into the Bulls' offseason plans. They drafted Tyrus Thomas, a rugged, 6-foot-9 power forward much in the mold of Wallace with the same offensive limitations. They have been shopping 7-footer Tyson Chandler around the league in hopes of getting a more offensive-minded big man, perhaps someone like Golden State's Troy Murphy or Utah's Carlos Boozer, and had their free-agent sights on a less-expensive center such as Joel Przybilla or Nazr Mohammed.
Paxson started making overtures toward Wallace only after being encouraged by owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Reinsdorf has done a lot of successful business over the years with Wallace's agent, Arn Tellem, who might have pushed for the Bulls to consider Wallace.
It could be a win-win situation for the Bulls. If they sign Wallace, they can lessen the pressure on Thomas' development. And if they don't , they still damage the Pistons by raising Wallace's sticker price.
"I am just sitting here on the unemployment line, waiting," Wallace said. "That's all I can do right now."
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have met with Lindsey Hunter and apparently offered him their bi-annual exception, which would pay him $3 million over the next two seasons. Hunter, who is leaning toward returning for a 14th season, has said he wants to finish his career with the Pistons.
^^ That article has more details and basically says the Bulls haven't offered Ben anything yet.
yeah 4 years 48 million is such a slap in the face.
ing athletes.
WTF Chicago don't want to fight for a trophy?
I wouldn't give Ben Wallace 14 million.
Youd have to be nuts to pay him that.
See ya Ben! Don't let the door hit ya on your way out!
Insulted? Give me a ing break. Go take you and your thirst for "touches" to Chicago. I give it 2 months before he es about another coach (this would be the ... 4th or 5th in a row?)
I want 2001-2003 Ben Wallace back. This ain't him. The dude went from Mr. lunchpale, hardworker to a huge ego prima donna.
Get a Sign and Trade done and I'll by happy as .
See ya Ben! Don't let the door hit ya on your way out!
Insulted? Give me a ing break. Go take you and your thirst for "touches" to Chicago. I give it 2 months before he es about another coach (this would be the ... 4th or 5th in a row?)
I want 2001-2003 Ben Wallace back. This ain't him. The dude went from Mr. lunchpale, hardworker to a huge ego prima donna.
Get a Sign and Trade done and I'll by happy as .realy?
Come on. Ben still can contribute and still is DPOTY ()
WWhoever you get outside Ben you will have to change the way you are playing and that could kill Billups and Hamilton. BUt who knows?
"I ain't looking for more than four years," said Wallace, who will turn 32 on Sept. 10.
ben wallace
lols what an overrated player...
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