PLAYER NEWS:
--F DaJuan Summers and F Jonas Jerebko, two of the team's second-round picks, signed two-year contracts worth approximately $1 million apiece. The Pistons did not originally plan to keep any of their three second-round picks on this year's roster but when Summers and Jerebko unexpectedly slid out of the first round, the Pistons snapped them up and revamped their strategy. Their other second-round selection, F Chase Budinger, was dealt on draft night. --G Deron Washington has agreed to a two-year contract, with the second year being a team option. That gives the Pistons 14 players under contract heading into training camp, one below the league minimum. Washington, a second-round pick in 2008, played in Israel last season. The Pistons believe Washington can develop into a defensive stopper at shooting guard.
--G Ben Gordon has a big fan in Ben Wallace, who played with Gordon for one-and-a-half seasons in Chicago. He has no doubt that Gordon's best years are ahead of him.
"Ben Gordon works on his game 24-7," Wallace said. "The work he puts in his game is unbelievable."
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.
