The Pistons will look ahead to summer to resolve the contract situations of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Bullock, writes Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press. Detroit failed to reach extensions with either player by Monday’s deadline, so they will both become restricted free agents on July 1st. Coach/executive Stan Van Gundy said the team had hopes of striking a deal with Bullock almost up to the cutoff point at 11:59pm Eastern Time. “We knew with [Caldwell-Pope] a little bit earlier in the day, Bullock went pretty much through the day, but we just didn’t get either one done,” Van Gundy said. “From our perspective I would say it’s disappointing, but not in any way frustrating or crippling in any way, but we would have liked to have gotten them done and we didn’t.” There is speculation that Caldwell-Pope, who has been Detroit’s starter at shooting guard the past two seasons, could get more than $20MM per year on the open market.
There’s more tonight out of Detroit:
- Bullock is eager to get a taste of free agency after watching the huge contracts that were handed out this summer, relays Aaron McMann of MLive. The 6’7″ swingman could be on the move again after playing for three teams in his first three NBA seasons. He got into 37 games with the Pistons last season, averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per night. Bullock sees free agency as a chance to earn a nice raise from the $2,255,644 he’s making this year. “We didn’t come to a decision, and I’m just continuing to look forward to this season,” Bullock said. “Obviously playing more games, trying to do the right things when I’m out on the floor and allow myself to have another chance to sign another contract.”
- Van Gundy isn’t a believer in resting players who are physically able to play, McMann writes in a separate piece. Warriors coach Steve Kerr has announced that he plans to give members of his rotation a night off during intense parts of the schedule, and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has taken heat for doing that in the past. “That’s up to each coach, I guess, in each organization,” Van Gundy said. “Look, I’m not one to do it. Our guys get paid to play 82 games. Everybody that’s healthy for us will play for us every single night. But that’s just us.”
- Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel believes the Pistons’ move to downtown Detroit “does appear inevitable,” but he tells Benjamin Raven of MLive that he’s looking on the bright side. The Palace, which has been the team’s home for nearly 30 years, may be converted into a commercial mixed-use facility, which may create even more revenue.