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"Ben Wallace has been the face of the Detroit Pistons the last five years. No more," writes Chad Ford of ESPN INSIDER. "A league source told ESPN.com Monday night that Wallace has told the Pistons he has accepted an offer from the Chicago Bulls. While exact details are unavailable, the offer is thought to be a four-year, $52 million dollar deal. A deal can't become official until July 12, when the salary cap is set for the 2006-07 season and exact contract values can be computed.

The move will come as a shock to Pistons fans who thought the chances Wallace would bolt from Detroit were slim to none.

The Pistons came out of the gate Saturday offering Wallace a whopping four-year, $48 million deal, but they told the four-time defensive player of the year that it was their final offer.

The signing clearly upgrades the Bulls' front court, albeit at an exorbitant price. The Bulls will have to use roughly $13.5 million of their projected $16.7 million in cap space to secure Wallace.

However, Wallace adds the veteran toughness and defensive presence the Bulls felt they lacked up front.

Look for the Bulls to now explore trade scenarios involving Tyson Chandler.

One potential opportunity, according to sources, is New Orleans, which is mulling a Chandler-for-P. J. Brown swap. Brown is in the last year of his contract, which would give the Bulls even more cap relief next season.

The Bulls also have explored Chandler trade scenarios with the Hawks (via an Al Harrington sign-and-trade) and the Warriors.

The move puts the Pistons in a difficult position.

They lose Wallace for nothing and don't have anything more than the $5.1 million mid-level exception to offer to potential replacements.

There are a few starting center-caliber free agents out there, such as Joel Przybilla and Nazr Mohammed, but none who can give the Pistons what Wallace did.

Instead, the Pistons may opt to beef up their backcourt and to move to a more up-tempo style with Rasheed Wallace at five and Antonio McDyess at the four."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2508742

Now...I told you fools who doubted me to quote me on it...Ben would leave Detroit. I just had to prove my worth

Although now I'm unhappy because he actually did leave...no one will be able to replace a powerhouse like that.

Anyways..just wanted to give a big TOLD YOU SO to the unbelievers

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imported_stoner4life

Ok I'll admit it you were right. But it still comes as a big surprise to me that he left. As soon as I saw this thread I knew I was going to have to eat my words. Wallace was a great player for the Pistons the past 6 years but I can almost guarantee he will not contribute at the same level in Chicago. This really does piss me off more than the Pistons losing to Miami.

The Pistons already agreed to 5 year, 30 something million dollar contract with Wallace's replacement Nazr Mohammad. This was the player I most wanted after hearing that the traiter Ben Wallace was going to Chicago.
Mohammad is a good defender and he brings more to the table offensively than Wallace did. Although he isn't as versitile as Wallace on the defensive end he gives the Pistons another possible low post threat in the starting lineup other than R. Wallace who doesn't go there nearly enough. This also gives the Pistons more cap room to sign a good free agent or to make a trade before the deadline than they would of had if they were going to re-sign Ben Wallace.

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Mohammad definetely does give us more of an option offensively, especially at the free throw line, but I do agree that with Ben being gone, we will never be able to match his intensity on the court. I also agree that Chicago will not be able to optimize his playing ability, but it will still help out greatly for their team. I am not that upset with Ben leaving though, but probably because I was expecting it all along. I highly expect Chicago to do a lot better this year, and my prediction is that the Bulls will fall into the 5th seed for the East.

Plus the mulah that Ben got (60 mil for 4 years??? Outrageous!) we would never been able to match that. I'm glad we got a 5 year deal worth 30 mil with Nazr, given us a great opportunity to get some better bench players that we highly need. I have heard rumors of Bonzi Wells coming into the line-up, but for the amount of money he wants, it's probably not going to happen especially for him coming off of the bench.

I'm also happy that we traded Evans. This giving Delfino more playing time will be just great. Delfino is my diamond in the rough player, and of course I don't think he is a superstar, but he is much greater than people, Pistons coaching staff included, have given him credit for.

Of course, I don't think Detroit will be as good as the past few seasons especially with Ben gone, but I still think they will do great in the standing. I predict them taking the 3rd seed, right under New Jersey being 1st, and Miami 2nd. . It's not great, but I can deal.

imported_stoner4life

I like you think Delfino is an underrated player on our bench. All he needed was more playing time to show what he can do, and with Evans gone he will get that playing time barring we sign a free agent like Bonzi Wells. Lindsey Hunter signed a 2-year contract with the Pistons. After his contract expires he will be given a spot on Detroit's front office helping Dumars with personnal decisions. I dont mind if we are only the 3rd seed this year cause we all learned last year that that doesn't matter as long as we are playing our best basketball in the postseason.