Comments on: Ben Wallace to re-sign with Detroit Pistons, why not for more money?

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:15:29 +0000

Lonnie, teams must use an exception any time they’re over the cap and sign someone, even one of their own free agents. You’re probably thinking of the Larry Bird and Early Bird Exceptions, and Ben Wallace qualified for neither of them.
Wallace didn’t qualify for the Larry Bird Exception, because he didn’t spend his last three years with the Pistons (or get traded to them while on a three-year-or-more contract). He didn’t qualify for the Early Bird Exception, because he didn’t play two years with the team.
So the Pistons had to use the Mid-Level Exception, the Bi-Annual Exception or Minimum Player Exception to re-sign Wallace. They chose the Bi-Annual Exception.
For a more detailed breakdown, read Larry Coon’s explanation.

By: Lonnie

Lonnie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:46:16 +0000

Because the Pistons are re-signing their own player, they don’t need to use any kind of exception, right? So they should still have all of the bi-annual exception. The amount in the Wallace deal simply was what they agreed to and had nothing to do with an exception. Of course, it is true either way that Wallace came at a cheap price. Most teams aren’t under the cap to make an offer unless they use an exception, but I would think other teams would have offered maybe $3 million worth of the mid-level to sign him.

By: Patrick Hayes

Patrick Hayes — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:20:09 +0000

I’m curious if the people who are still so vocal with their dislike of Ben for leaving for Chicago were equally as vocal when he was statistically a top five player in the league and wasn’t in the top 50 in the league in salary.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:53:01 +0000

Zeiram, I completely agree. But I think you’re selling him short by just mentioning his teaching potential. Ben will likely be a quality player for the team, too.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:51:58 +0000

Mike, if a company offered you $12 million more than your current employer, would you turn it down? That’s not greedy. That’s practical.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:50:55 +0000

Tarbaby, did he turn his back on the Pistons, or did they turn their back on him? He was an absolute warrior for six seasons for FAR below market value. And when it came time for him to receive a raise, the Pistons’ offer was disappointing compared to the Bulls’. I was sad, and even angry at Ben, when he left. But I don’t blame him for going to Chicago.

By: Dan Feldman

Dan Feldman — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:48:04 +0000

The Rake, on one hand, you say the Pistons didn’t have the class to keep his number off limits. On the other hand, you say they have the class not to low-ball him. Which is it? That’s why I’m not so sure Ben wasn’t misled.

By: Zeiram

Zeiram — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:19:10 +0000

Good news, Big Ben always was my favorite Piston and will forever have a special place in my heart. He epitomizes everything about Detroit Basketball we love and I sure hope he uses his last two years to prepare himseld for a position in the organization by teaching his skills to Monroe.

By: MikeMO

MikeMO — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 03:27:53 +0000

Maybe he’s making up for the years he got greedy and left for the bulls, whatever it may be I’m glad he’s here helping the young guys, he’s definitely made an impact in Detroit sports!

By: Tarbaby

Tarbaby — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:11:24 +0000

with all the money this guy’s earned, 2 million is 2 million. i love ben wallace, but he turned his back on this franchise once. whatever money he’s not making now, he got from chicago. he’s back home, all is forgiven, he’s giving the team a necessary and probably rightful discount. if his penance should be to play basketball for two years and make four million dollars, everyone should be so lucky.