Now that he is a free agent, former Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace might finish his NBA career with the franchise by which many fans still associate him. Wallace, who recently was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Phoenix Suns, reached a $10 million buyout with the Suns and is an unrestricted free agent.
It remains to be seen how many teams are interested in the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
One thing is clear: Detroit is among them.
The Pistons have about $3.5 million to spend on free agents. Some or all of that could go to Wallace.
Detroit likely would use just a portion of that for him, or the Pistons could sign the 34-year-old to a contract for the veteran's minimum, which is $1.3 million next season.
With starters Rasheed Wallace (Boston) and Antonio McDyess (San Antonio) signing elsewhere, the Pistons lack an established veteran presence in the frontcourt.
By using the bulk of their salary cap space this summer to sign Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, the Pistons are limited to a much smaller pool of free-agent targets.
Gaining additional salary-cap space to target free agents was at the heart of the team's decision this week to trade guard Arron Afflalo and forward Walter Sharpe to Denver for a future second-round pick.
As for Ben Wallace's incentive to come back to Detroit, his career has taken a nosedive since he left after signing a four-year, $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls.
Wallace was named to the All-NBA second or third team his final five seasons in Detroit. A four-time all-star (2002-06), he also was a five-time all-defensive player.
But in the three seasons since he left Detroit, Wallace has battled injuries. That, coupled with teams (including Detroit) being more cost-conscious this summer, might limit his options.
But with a limited role, which is what he would have with Detroit, Wallace might be an effective player off the bench.
In addition to Wallace, other free-agent big men Detroit might consider include Glen Davis, Chris Wilcox, Drew Gooden and former Piston Joe Smith.
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