TAMPA, Fla. -- Ben Wallace's best moments as an NBA player came in Detroit, which is where the veteran big man's career likely will end after agreeing Friday to a one-year deal with the Pistons .
Joe Dumars, Detroit's president of Basketball operations, confirmed the team has reached an agreement with the four-time All-Star center. Although terms were not released, Wallace is expected to sign a 1-year deal for the veteran's minimum of $1.3 million.
Wallace left Detroit following the 2005-2006 season after signing a four-year, $60 million deal with the Chicago Bulls. In addition to Chicago, Wallace also played for Cleveland, which traded him to Phoenix earlier this summer.
The Suns had no plans of bringing Wallace to camp, so they allowed him to become a free agent when he agreed to a $10 million buyout in lieu of the $14 million he was owed in the final year of his contract.
It is unclear how much Wallace will play, but his role will be significantly diminished compared to what it was during his previous stint, when he was one of the NBA's most dominant defensive players.
Charlie Villanueva is expected to start at power forward, with Kwame Brown and Chris Wilcox battling for the starting job at center. Matchups
likely will determine whether Wallace or Jason Maxiell will be the team's fourth big man.
Along with being a four-time All-Star, Wallace also was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year four times (2003-06) and was a member of the NBA's first-team all-Defensive team five times.
While the former Pistons captain won't be counted on to contribute as much as he did earlier in his career, Detroit will look to the 13-year veteran for his leadership.
Detroit spent this summer revamping its roster with a slew of young, athletic players.
A year ago, Detroit was among the league's oldest teams. But by adding Villanueva, Wilcox and Ben Gordon -- all 26 years old or younger -- they have become one of the league's most youthful clubs.
However, the Pistons recognized the need for at least one veteran presence in the frontcourt. And with limited resources available after spending the bulk their salary cap space on free agents, Wallace, who will be 35 in September, was an ideal fit in terms of ability and cost.
In addition to coming to terms with Wallace, the Pistons on Friday also announced the signings of rookies Austin Daye, DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko.
