Chicago Tribune - The Detroit Pistons on Monday tried last-minute attempts at a sign-and-trade with the Knicks and the 76ers involving Ben Wallace, but Wallace rejected both opportunities to come to the Bulls.

Wallace is set to sign a four year, $60 million contract with Chicago on July 12 that immediately will change the face of the franchise.

$100 says this is the best non-trade we ever made. I can't imagine any way it didn't include Frye.

this is a litle scary. zeke is trying to save his job, and that means a guy like frye is trade fodder for a vet

Posted by FrenchKnicks:

Don't you believe that this trade didn't happen BECAUSE Zeke didn't want to part with Frye?

That could just as easily be the case. That would be consistent with everything he's done so far involving the young players.

francis and butler is better than zero for the pistons. francis is an all-star in the right system. plus... they need a PG/SG combo guard. Also can you imagine ben wallace playing next to and serving as the enforcer for our main man, Eddy "spicy" Curry

I can see the pistons making a play for Jamaal Mags now...

im kind of gla ewe didnt get him. He's better for the Bulls than he is for us+ they haev a very similar player who can learn from him in ty thomas. But for the knicks--his rebounding +_ blocks are declining and I dont think vets will change us. I think they key for this team going forward is turning the youth into vetsand getting the other guys OUT.

I could easily see Eddie Curry as the main target of the pistons. Curry allways gave Pistons trouble. Dumars probably likes him. And with Flips offensive skills as a coach they probably thought it would have been a good fit. Playing with smart guards like Billups & Rip.

Ben Wallace would have meant playoffs for Knicks this yr. So I could have seen Isiah willing to give up Curry for him. If not curry then it probably would have been Nate, Lee & cap filler like Rose or Taylor depending on his contract.

Posted by EwingsGlass:

Posted by Caseloads:

I can see the pistons making a play for Jamaal Mags now...

My understanding is that the Pistons are making a play at Joe Pryzbilla.

that's what i read too. wouldn't it have been interesting to havve seen how darko would have responded to finally getting a chance?

Posted by EwingsGlass:

While you cannot replace a Ben Wallace type player, he is getting older. They do have Rasheed who can pay C, and a number of PF's, like McDyess. Another player that might suit their needs is Zo Mourning (if age is not a concern).

Huh? You talk about Ben Wallace getting older but then you bring up replacing him with Alonzo Mourning who's even older and then throw in the qualifier "if age is not a concern". Which is it?

Posted by Marv:

Posted by EwingsGlass:

Posted by Caseloads:

I can see the pistons making a play for Jamaal Mags now...

My understanding is that the Pistons are making a play at Joe Pryzbilla.

that's what i read too. wouldn't it have been interesting to havve seen how darko would have responded to finally getting a chance?

they'd have to just trade straight up for Mags.

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by EwingsGlass:

While you cannot replace a Ben Wallace type player, he is getting older. They do have Rasheed who can pay C, and a number of PF's, like McDyess. Another player that might suit their needs is Zo Mourning (if age is not a concern).

Huh? You talk about Ben Wallace getting older but then you bring up replacing him with Alonzo Mourning who's even older and then throw in the qualifier "if age is not a concern". Which is it?

I thought it was implicit that as between Zo and BW; Big Ben has received a larger, longer contract than Zo would. As such, if a guy like Joe Pryzbilla is unavailable, Zo might provide the necessary stopgap. Furthermore, the "if age is not a concern" also reflects that age may not have been the deciding factor in letting BW walk. It appears Det didn't have a choice in the matter. So, in that case, age not being part of the calculation Alonzo Mourning may make a suitable replacement.