Pistons To Sign Michael Curry
The Detroit Pistons are expected to sign free agent Michael Curry to a five-year, $12 million deal, according to newspaper reports.
The Detroit News reported in its Sunday editions that Curry, a small forward who played with the Pistons prior to spending the last two seasons in Milwaukee, was expected to sign a deal Sunday or Monday.
He's expected to receive the team's $2 million exception.
Jud Buechler also is expected to sign a two-year deal using the team's $1.1 million exception. Last season, Buechler was 10th in the league in 3-point shooting for the Pistons.
"The Pistons have a great opportunity (to sign Buechler)," said Mark Bartelstein, Buechler's agent. "He had a great experience playing in Detroit last season. He loved playing for Alvin (Gentry) and with Grant (Hill). He really thinks the team has a chance to be good."
Buechler reportedly has other offers one from San Antonio and another from the Lakers and coach Phil Jackson, who Buechler played for in Chicago for four seasons.
"He has a chance to make a little bit more money at other places, but he likes the idea that he can use the Larry Bird (exception with the Pistons) in a year," Bartelstein told the News.
If he re-signs with Detroit, Buechler will be eligible next season for the Bird exception, which means the Pistons could go over the salary cap to sign him to the league's average salary, which was $2.8 million last season.
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