--New head coach Michael Curry filled out his staff by hiring Pat Sullivan, Darrell Walker and Harold Ellis as assistant coaches.
For Sullivan, it's his second tour of duty with the club. He was also on Larry Brown's Pistons staff before joining the New Jersey Nets for the past three seasons as an assistant. Sullivan was also Rasheed Wallace's roommate at the University of North Carolina, but that shouldn't be considered a significant factor in terms of Wallace's status with the club. Wallace has one year remaining on his contract and could be included in any blockbuster deal the Pistons might make this offseason.
Walker has been an assistant with the New Orleans Hornets since the 2004-05 season. He's also been a head coach with Toronto and Washington.
Ellis served as the Minor League Coordinator for the Atlanta Hawks for the last six seasons.
--While the Pistons plan to keep rookie Walter Sharpe on their roster next season, their other two second-rounders will be playing elsewhere. 6-foot-11 BYU power forward Trent Plaisted and 6-6 Virginia Tech swingman Deron Washington were selected in part because they promised the Pistons' staff beforehand that they would be willing to play overseas. The Pistons will retain their rights, but they won't be on the 15-man roster.
Plaisted averaged 15.6 points and 7.7 rebounds last season. He could eventually help the Pistons as a low-post player. Washington, who averaged 13.1 points as a senior, needs to improve his shooting to make the NBA.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think my worst days are behind me and my best days are ahead of me." -- Forward Walter Sharpe, the Pistons' top draft pick, who had a troubled college career.
