PLAYER NEWS:
--F Austin Daye, the team's first-round draft pick, has signed a two-year contract worth approximately $3.5 million, with team options for the third and fourth seasons. Daye's signing was delayed by the Pistons' free-agent spree. They needed to use their salary-cap space before signing their rookies. --F Tayshaun Prince will carry a pair of iron-man streaks into next season. He's the NBA's active leader in consecutive games started with 437. He also has a streak of 494 consecutive games played, second only to Andre Miller's 530.
--C Trent Plaisted will play in the Italian league this winter for Bologna-Reggio Emilia. Plaisted, a second-round 2008 draft pick, was also in that league last season but played just two games because of a back injury. Plaisted was on the Pistons' summer-league team the last two seasons and needs to develop his interior skills to make the NBA roster.
MEDICAL WATCH:
No injuries to report.
DRAFT PICKS:
Austin Daye, F, 6-11, Gonzaga (first round) -- Very versatile offensive player whose lack of strength will be a liability defensively. He'll be an upgrade at the backup small forward spot.
DaJuan Summers, F, 6-8, Georgetown (second round) -- The Pistons view him mainly as a small forward, though he played a lot of power forward in college last season. Isn't afraid to mix it up but needs to become a better ball-handler.
Jonas Jerebko, F, 6-9, Sweden (second round) -- The Pistons were impressed with his all-around game and size during a team workout and believe his best position is power forward. Can bull his way onto the roster with a strong summer-league showing.
