AUBURN HILLS -- Coming off one of their worst seasons in nearly a decade, it's understandable the Pistons might want to get rid of most of the players from the 2008-2009 roster.
And while most of the free agents from last season's squad likely will play in another NBA city, or possibly on another continent, Antonio McDyess is an exception. Although McDyess is not Detroit's top offseason priority, he is nonetheless a player the Pistons want to re-sign.
However, getting McDyess back for a sixth season will be difficult.
McDyess, who turns 35 in September, came to Detroit following the Pistons' 2004 title run for a shot at a championship.
After coming up short in five consecutive seasons, McDyess acknowledged during the playoffs that his shot at a title might have to come playing for another team.
In November, McDyess was included in the Chauncey Billups-Allen Iverson trade with Denver.
He reached a buyout agreement with the Nuggets, and later re-signed with Detroit.
However, McDyess discovered just how coveted he was between those transactions, as just about every playoff contender was trying to convince him to sign.
Despite his age, most of those teams will come calling again this summer.
And McDyess will listen.
"It's a great feeling, to be where I'm at in age and know that there are still teams out there that want me, that think I can help them," he said. "I have to look at all my options."
Buyout non-issue for Jerebko
The agent for Jonas Jerebko, Detroit's second-round draft pick, said his buy-out clause won't prevent him from possibly playing for Detroit this season.
Jerebko played this past season for Biella in the Italian league.
"Unlike a lot of the European players in the draft, Jonas has a very affordable buy-out clause," said his agent, Doug Neustadt. "Getting out of that, that's not going to be a problem."
Jerebko is expected to play with Detroit's summer league team in Las Vegas, and goes in with a shot of earning a roster spot.
"We're looking at him as a guy that could come in and play," said Scott Perry, Detroit's vice president of Basketball operations. "But we'll evaluate all that once summer league comes.
"He did a real nice job when he came in and worked out. He was very impressive, very athletic young man; could finish at the rim. We like that about him."
Jerebko, whose father Chris is from Buffalo, N.Y., and played for Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, was considered a late first-round pick by most who evaluated the draft's talent. However, Detroit was able to draft him with the No. 39 pick in the second round.
"We feel very fortunate to add a player like Jonas that late in the draft," said George David, Detroit's director of player personnel. "We didn't think he would be available to us that late."
