Pistons to retain Lucas

The Detroit Pistons have decided to sign guard John Lucas III for the remainder of the NBA season. 

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Pistons officially claim Williams

Official Press Release

The Pistons made the type of move Tuesday in claiming veteran shooter Shawne Williams off waivers that Stan Van Gundy has seen pay off for them already in similarly unheralded deals for Anthony Tolliver and Joel Anthony.

Williams, 29, is expected to join the Pistons before they host the Knicks on Friday night. A seven-year veteran drafted 17th in 2006 by Indiana after one year at the University of Memphis, Williams essentially fills the hole left by last week's trade of Jonas Jerebko to Boston in the deal that reunited the Pistons and Tayshaun Prince.

"We're a little thin up front," Van Gundy said. "Shawne played very well in Miami this year. He's a guy who comes on a value contract and he's got a non-guaranteed contract for next year, so it gives us a lot of flexibility and it's one of those moves that helps us right now, going forward, over the last 25 games and also gives us an asset and that's what we're into. We're trying to get better, we're trying to acquire assets. I think Shawne fits in both categories."

Williams started 22 games for Miami this season, averaging 6.6 points in 21 minutes and shooting .395 from the 3-point line, where he takes more than half of his shots.

Van Gundy views Williams as a stretch four and said his acquisition doesn't have any impact on Quincy Miller, signed to a 10-day contract on Saturday, calling Miller "a developmental guy we're looking at to see where we want to go. Shawne's more of a guy we think can play right now. He's a guy that should be ready to go and throw in an NBA game right now."

Van Gundy held an informal coaches summit at the team practice facility last summer and he invited Mike D'Antoni, a coach he credits with doing much to revolutionize the modern NBA with his heavy emphasis on a pick-and-roll foundation and putting four shooters on the perimeter, to join the group.

"We were just talking about the guys he'd coached and, unsolicited, he spoke really, really highly of Shawne from his year with him last year – his attitude, his work ethic and what he thought of him as a player," Van Gundy said. "That's been in my mind all along. I thought he played well for Miami early this year and when he was out there at waiver time, (general manager) Jeff (Bower0 and I started talking about him and put in the claim now knowing if we'd be the team that ended up getting him. This is another good move for us. We just want to put together as many good moves as we can, even if they're small ones."

By adding Williams, the Pistons again have a full roster of 15 players.

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The return of Tayshaun Prince (Video)

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Pistons officially announce Reggie Jackson trade

Official Press Release

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The Detroit Pistons announced today that the team has acquired guard Reggie Jackson from Oklahoma City as part of a three-team trade that sent guard DJ Augustin, forward Kyle Singler and a 2019 second round draft selection to the Thunder. The team also sent a 2017 second round draft selection to the Utah Jazz.

"We’re pleased to welcome Reggie Jackson to the organization," said Stan Van Gundy, Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons. "Reggie is a young player with good size and length at the guard position. He’s been successful as a starter playing extended minutes and we feel he’s a good addition to our roster. We thank both DJ Augustin and Kyle Singler for their contributions and wish them well moving forward."

Jackson, 24, has played in 50 games for the Thunder this season averaging 12.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game while shooting 43.2% from the field. In 13 games as a starter, the 6-foot-3, 208-pound guard has averaged 20.2 points, 7.8 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 38.9 minutes per game. Throughout his career as a starter, a span of 49 games, Jackson has posted averages of 14.2 points, 6.4 assists and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 36.8% from three-point range. The three-year pro owns career NBA averages of 9.0 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 245 games.

Drafted by the Thunder with the 24th overall selection in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, Jackson averaged career-highs in points (13.1), assists (4.1) and rebounds (3.9) during the 2013-14 season. Prior to being inserted into the starting line-up at Charlotte (12/27/13), Jackson was the only player in the NBA to come off the bench and average 12-plus points, three-plus rebounds and three-plus assists. He scored a career-high 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting at San Antonio (1/22/14) and set a career-high with 11 assists at Denver (3/24/14). In 30 career playoff games with Oklahoma City, Jackson has averages of 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 30.0 minutes per game.

Augustin, who signed as a free agent with Detroit during the 2014 offseason, averaged 10.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 23.8 minutes in 54 games (13 starts) with Detroit this season. The six-year pro holds career NBA averages of 10.2 points, 4.1 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 24.8 minutes in 483 games.

Singler, a third-year pro, averaged 7.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 23.8 minutes in 54 games (40 starts) with the Pistons this season. Drafted by Detroit with the 33rd overall selection in the 2011 NBA draft, Singler holds career NBA averages of 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 27.1 minutes in 218 games.

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ICYMI: TayShaun Prince returns to Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have acquired F Tayshaun Prince from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jonas Jerebko and Luigi Datome.

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Q&A: Caron Butler

Courtesy of Vincent Goodwill Jr.

Question: When you were younger, who was the veteran guy who took you under his wing?

Butler: "Eddie Jones and Alonzo Mourning (in Miami, 2002-03)"

Question: What was it that you took from them?

Butler: Just how to be a professional on and off the court, how to conduct yourself. Preparation, stuff like that. Things that are extremely important to last in this game.

Question: What was it like being in Washington all those years?

Butler: "Man, those were like the most fun years of my life. It just went by so fast when you reflect, we had some great moments. Making All-Star games, playoff battles against Cleveland. It was a great experience."

Question: Remember that Soulja Boy-Jay-Z stuff during your playoff series against Cleveland? (Jay-Z made up a pro-LeBron James rap before the Cavs-Wizards 2008 first-round series. One-hit wonder Soulja Boy responded with one supporting the Wizards.)

Butler: "It was crazy because I was a huge fan of Jay-Z, still is, to see Soulja Boy come in and try to continue with that. … I had to represent but I was like damn, could we get (anybody else)? He held us down, though. It was cool. It was just fun times. It was good for TV. That stuff with (Wizards guard) DeShawn Stevenson and those guys, that was hilarious."

Question: D.C. has great restaurants, what were your favorites?

Butler: "The Capital Grille, Clyde's. Another good spot was B. Smith's and Gladys Knight's. I love that spot."

Question: Have you gotten around to the ones in your area (Rochester)?

Butler: "I go in spots downtown; honestly, I don't know the names of them. My wife picks them out. We go and there's a couple spots with different foods, it's real smooth. I like the area."

Question: Obviously, you're getting older. Is there a moment when you're like, "Damn, I'm old?" Sometimes it's a guy blowing by you who never could. Has that moment happened for you?

Butler: "When I'm playing alongside some of the younger guys and they talk about how old they are. 'I'm like 21' or whatever. Man, I have a 20-year-old daughter, so I'm like, 'Damn, it's crazy.' To be able to practice full speed without restrictions and to play when required, I've been blessed."

Question: "Would you let any of your teammates date your daughter?"

Butler: "Hell no! I'm gonna tell you something, the crooked one that would try to, that (dude) over there, Spence (Spencer Dinwiddie). (Turns to Joel Anthony and Richardson) Is there anybody in here you would let date your daughter?"

Richardson: "Somebody gotta die! (laughing)"

Question: Would you let Spencer date your daughter?

Butler: "Not happening (pause). That ain't happening. Not happening."

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Pistons to add Lucas

Reports indicate that the Detroit Pistons plan to sign G John Lucas III to a 10-day contract to alleviate the loss of G Brandon Jennings.

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Q&A: Kyle Singler

Courtesy of Terry Foster

Question: How long did it take you to make your famous YouTube "Kyle Gets Buckets" video at Duke?

Singler: I shot two videos while I was at school. The first one took a little longer than I expected because it was my first one and I did not realize how long it was going to take to make all those shots. It probably took me two days to do it.

Question: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has 1,000 wins now. How many were you a part of?

Singler: Oh wow. Let me see. Maybe 100 or 125 of them. It feels great to be a small part of his accomplishments.

Question: What was the best part about playing overseas in Spain before coming to the Pistons?

Singler: Being in a different country and playing basketball against different people.

Question: What is your favorite restaurant in Metro Detroit?

Singler: I have a few of them. Can I give you three? Social, Forest Grill and Ronin. (Social and Forest Grill are in Birmingham; Ronin is in Royal Oak.)

Question: What is your favorite meal?

Singler: Spaghetti.

Question: Why do you love Duke so much?

Singler: It's where I went to school and where I spent four years. I am indebted to them.

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Jennings to miss remainder of season?.....Updated

Detroit Pistons G Brandon Jennings is set to undergo an MRI to reveal the extent of his lower leg injury during last evening's contest versus the Milwaukee Bucks.  Reports show that silently the Pistons and Jennings are bracing for the worse in the form of a torn achilles tendon which would end the season for Jennings who was having a career year.

Update:  Jennings will miss the remainder of the due to a ruptured left Achilles.  He indicated on Twitter that he'll be out 6/9 months.

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Jennings suffers leg injury (Video)

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Q&A: Greg Monroe

Courtesy of Terry Foster

Question: What did you like about attending Georgetown?

Monroe: "It was a great time and I think I grew up there. I met friends for life and it is a big part of my life forever. The things I learned from the staff and the people on campus are things I will use forever."

Question: OK, Greg. Let's say you have a four-day weekend in the middle of the season to do as you like. What are you doing?

Monroe: "I am definitely going somewhere warm and somewhere with good food."

Question: What retired NBA player do you respect the most?

Monroe: "That's a tough one. There are a few guys that did really well after they retired. One is Grant Hill and his endeavors outside of basketball. And Michael Jordan -- that one is easy."

Question: What is the best thing about being an NBA player?

Monroe: "It's just doing something you love every day. I am just blessed to play a game I love, and of course everything that comes with it. But it's great to do something you love for a living."

Question: What is your favorite restaurant in Metro Detroit area?

Monroe: "Beans & Cornbread (in Southfield)."

Question: If I were a boy who dreams of playing in the NBA, what advice would you give me?

Monroe: "You have to work extremely hard, and I think everybody has to make sacrifices early in high school. There are a lot of fun things you have to sacrifice to play at a high level. I think that is probably the biggest thing. Be willing to sacrifice because in the long run it is worth it."'

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NBA warns Piston

The NBA has warned Detroit Pistons F/C Andre Drummond for flopping during their game on January 16th versus the  Indiana Pacers.

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Jennings fined

Detroit Pistons G Brandon Jennings has been fined $15,000 by the NBA for an obscene gesture during their game against the Toronoto Raptors on January 12th.

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Fans speak out on the Pistons (Video)

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Q&A: Brandon Jennings

Courtesy of Slam

SLAM: How do you put what’s happened so far this season behind you, and focus on moving forward?

Brandon Jennings: We definitely just have to take it one game at a time right now. With the way the East is shaking up, we still have a chance to make the Playoffs. So that’s our main goal. But we just want to take it one game at a time, and just play hard every night.

SLAM: Is that your message to your teammates right now—that the East is so wide open, the postseason is still a possibility if you can continue to improve?    

Jennings: Yeah, I mean especially in the East. If you win six or seven in a row, you could be looking at seventh place or the eighth place right now. So that’s where our mindset is. But like I said, we’re just taking it one game at a time. We’re still in the hunt. We’re not tanking or anything like that. We’re going to compete to the end.

SLAM: Is this a moment in your career you feel better prepared to handle after everything you’ve seen and done in the League? Are you even more of a leader now with Josh Smith leaving?

Jennings: Things happen in this League. My rookie year, I made the Playoffs. So it was a little easier. I was on a team with veterans like Kurt Thomas, Jerry Stackhouse, Andrew Bogut—guys who’d already been in the League. So, this is definitely a challenge, the fact that I’m kind of like the leader now. And now I have to lead my team, every day. Come in with a positive attitude, not just trying to take over games by scoring, but just making sure that everyone is happy on the team and everyone’s good.

SLAM: You’re starting one of the youngest lineups in the League against LeBron James, Kevin Love and the Cavaliers. How do you plan to approach games vs. teams like the Cavs?  

Jennings: We’re definitely going to have to play harder. We are going to have to play harder than them, and we’re going to have to take on the challenge. When they make runs, we can’t get down or give up. We just have to keep fighting and keep pushing.

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ICYMI: Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy on release of Josh Smith (Video)

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Pistons waive Smith....Updated

The Detroit Pistons have announced that they have waived Josh Smith.  Smith is still owed $26 million over the next two seasons after the conclusion of this season.  The Pistons will reportedly use the stretch provision for the remaining $26 million for cap relief.

Update:  Official Press Release

"Our team has not performed the way we had expected throughout the first third of the season and adjustments need to be made in terms of our focus and direction," said Stan Van Gundy, Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons. "We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future. As we expand certain roles, others will be reduced. In fairness to Josh, being a highly versatile 10-year veteran in this league, we feel it's best to give him his freedom to move forward. We have full respect for Josh as a player and a person."

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Pistons' Monroe denies trade rumors

Despite trade rumors indicating otherwise this season, Detroit Pistons F/C Greg Monroe has denied a desire to be moved.  Reportedly the Pistons were seeking a first round pick for the big.  Monroe admitted to being unhappy due to the Pistons' recent 13 game losing streak but the trade rumors were false.  

"To say I was unhappy, losing 13 in a row, you can say that about everybody on the team," Monroe said. "Nobody's happy when you lose 13 games in a row. But as far as where he took it, that was completely false, and it's really, like, ridiculous to have to come in here and answer questions like this."

"Especially right now, lose 13 straight, finally get a couple games, then you've got to come in here and hear this while you're getting ready for a game," he said. "At this point, it's definitely annoying, because we're trying to turn things around right here, right now, and I've got to come in here and answer something that I've got absolutely nothing to do with, that I know I didn't say."

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DJ Augustin on Staying Ready (VIDEO)

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Pistons' Meeks near return

Reports indicate that Detroit Pistons G Jodie Meeks is slated to make his return to the lineup as soon as Friday.  To facilitate the return Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy would like to see how Meeks looks after two practices.  Last season for the Los Angeles Lakers Meeks averaged 15.7 points per game.

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