As I stated in another thread, the most prevalent theory is that Dumars consumated this deal with the idea that Rasheed was a rental player for the playoff push and that his salary would come off in an effort to resign Okur. Since Okur does not have Bird rights, Rasheed has to be renounced to resign Okur as the roster is presently constituted. However things do change and Dumars may be able to pull off an off season deal to clear more cap space and offer both players a deal above the MLE. There is an expansion draft after this season and it is feasible that Dumars could arrange to have one of his players picked for some future considerations (2nd rnd pick?). I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the Bobcats are allowed to waive a player and NOT have the full salary applied against their cap figure. Dumars could also trade an expiring contract to a team under the cap for a future pick (I'd have to research which of their players are up next year). Detroit does have options but it all hinges on if Rasheed is willing to sign for the MLE. If he is, I think we have a good shot in the summer, if not then Detroit may have as good a chance as any other team. I'd like to take his agent at face value when he mentioned that Rasheed would be willing to explore the option of accepting the Knicks MLE. Then again, I also read where he said not to rule out Detroit after the season. Right back where we started I guess.

What player who doesn't have a Shaq and Kobe on the roster would sign for MLE as talented as R Wallace is? GUYS will sign with team who gives them the most money.

A big Playoff dissapointment is usually enough to sour someone's taste for a team they don't have much time with..
I hope they get knocked out the first round...
I also hope he gets into squabbles with the Coach over playing time.
I don't see how they can keep both Wallaces who play the same position and are all-stars .. happy... although they're games are totally different, They have Okur at C. I don't think the Pistons can keep both.. Unless they trade Ben Wallace I think our chances of landing Rasheed are very good.

From Newsday:

Because the Pistons now own Wallace's Bird rights, they can use their cap space to sign Okur, then sign Wallace for as much as the collective-bargaining agreement and their own budget allows.

Newsday is wrong: Detroit currently owns Rasheed's Bird rights but in order to get under the cap to sign Okur to more than the MLE they have to renounce the rights to Wallace and clear his $17m from their cap figure. By renouncing their rights they lose their Bird rights and cannot offer a max contract. They can then only offer whatever they can fit under the cap. They can possibly clear some more salary to be able to offer more than the MLE to both Okur and Wallace but that is something that will have to wait until the offseason. Or Okur can accept the MLE and they can pay whatever they want to Rasheed. But Detroit is afraid that someone will offer more than the MLE to Okur and they won't be able to match it if they are over the cap like what happened to GS and Arenas last year. If Detroit is dead set on keeping Okur than they probably won't be able to offer significantly more than the MLE the Rasheed. It might come down to Rasheed playing for $7mm with Detroit/Brown/Dumars/Billups or for the MLE with Knicks/Isaiah/Lenny/Starbury. Let's hope the original reports that he wants NYC are true.

good and correct post Uncaged

Posted by gunsnewing:

I don't think Rasheed is part of their future plans. Don't forget they think DARKO is gonna be the guy.

... for me to poop on!

Anyone hear on MSG they mentioned that Sheed couldn't play the 2nd half because of the trade paperwork being sent to the NBA late?

I am gonna LMAO if that trade got voided...

It's temporary:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-BKN-Pistons-Wallace.html

hahahahaha

Rasheed looked liked he's been playing at the Palace for years, and for only 12 minutes of play time...whoa, nice connection with the fans and what a game. Ben Wallace answered KG's dunk with authority!
This is what I call "Match Dunk".....good game!

Knick fans needing extra credit, needed to take notes on Pistons/T-wolves game

Today, Joe Dumars may say he wants Rasheed for the long haul...tomorrow, if there is a bigger fish in the trading sweepstakes or free agency market, Joe Dumars will not hesitate to unload Rasheed. Look what happen to Hill, Stackhouse and Carlisle