Corey Maggette dropped hints about retirement earlier this season, but now he's certain he wants to play next year, and he's entertaining the idea of re-signing with the Pistons as a free agent in the summer, writes Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. The Pistons haven't found much use for Maggette on the floor this year, but the team is open to bringing him back, according to Ellis.
Maggette said he didn't want a buyout last week, a stance Ellis believes is surprising, since Pistons officials believe other teams would have interest in bringing the 33-year-old swingman aboard. That Maggette wouldn't entertain a buyout may have more to do with his unwillingness to forfeit any of his $10.9MM salary for this season than a lack of desire to play elsewhere. "I'm not a firm believer in giving up money anyway," Maggette said.
Wherever he signs his next contract, the money won't come close to his current deal, but the Duke product seems intrigued by the idea of continuing to provide a veteran influence for his younger Piston teammates. His leadership is what the team is most interested in Maggette providing, Ellis notes.
The 14th year veteran, who entered the league as the No. 13 pick in the 1999 draft, is averaging career lows in points (5.3), field goal percentage (35.5%) and minutes (14.3) per game this season. Still, he's only one year removed from notching 15.0 PPG in 27.5 MPG for the Bobcats in 2011/12, numbers just slightly below his career averages.