Tigers#1
09-24-2002, 01:03 PM
The Pistons are on the verge of trading last year's top draft pick, Rodney White, to the Denver Nuggets for a first-round selection and another player.
The deal, expected to be completed this week, could give the Pistons as many as three first-round draft picks next year.
White, 22, never won over coach Rick Carlisle, despite his efforts this summer. Faced with the prospect of sitting on the bench another season or going to another team, White opted to play elsewhere.
"I love it here in Detroit, but I realize this is a business and I'd like an opportunity to play," said White, a 6-foot-9 forward.
The key for the Pistons would be acquiring another first-round draft pick. Next year, they would have their own, one from Denver (owned by Milwaukee) and one from Memphis, which is expected to be a high lottery pick.
Denver has inquired about White since the All-Star break last season and pursued him up to the trading deadline and again this summer.
White was the ninth overall draft choice in June 2001, after playing one season at North Carolina-Charlotte.
After the Pistons told him the Nuggets were interested in him, he weighed his options, then told the team Monday that he wouldn't object to the move.
Besides the draft pick, the Pistons might land small forward James Posey, former Pistons center Don Reid or center Mengke Bateer, a source close to the team said.
White, expected to be the Pistons' starting small forward this season, was a disappointment last season and got limited playing time. He averaged 3.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 16 regular-season games.
The trade will be the Pistons' second major deal in two weeks. They sent leading scorer Jerry Stackhouse to the Washington Wizards in a six-player trade that brought shooting guard Richard Hamilton to Detroit.
Power forward Ben Wallace apparently is the only player the Pistons wouldn't trade.
The departure of White will ease a logjam at small forward, which includes veteran Michael Curry, Corliss Williamson and rookie Tayshaun Prince.
White and Prince are the same age, but Prince played four years at Kentucky, and his experience was evident during the team's summer league. Prince impressed coaches with his poise, savvy and long wing span.
While Prince showed he might win a spot in the rotation off the bench, White struggled with his shooting during the Orlando Summer League and with the prospect of fighting Curry, the incumbent, and Williamson, the league's sixth man of the year last season.
White would have had to play far better in training camp to win minutes this season.
The deal, expected to be completed this week, could give the Pistons as many as three first-round draft picks next year.
White, 22, never won over coach Rick Carlisle, despite his efforts this summer. Faced with the prospect of sitting on the bench another season or going to another team, White opted to play elsewhere.
"I love it here in Detroit, but I realize this is a business and I'd like an opportunity to play," said White, a 6-foot-9 forward.
The key for the Pistons would be acquiring another first-round draft pick. Next year, they would have their own, one from Denver (owned by Milwaukee) and one from Memphis, which is expected to be a high lottery pick.
Denver has inquired about White since the All-Star break last season and pursued him up to the trading deadline and again this summer.
White was the ninth overall draft choice in June 2001, after playing one season at North Carolina-Charlotte.
After the Pistons told him the Nuggets were interested in him, he weighed his options, then told the team Monday that he wouldn't object to the move.
Besides the draft pick, the Pistons might land small forward James Posey, former Pistons center Don Reid or center Mengke Bateer, a source close to the team said.
White, expected to be the Pistons' starting small forward this season, was a disappointment last season and got limited playing time. He averaged 3.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 16 regular-season games.
The trade will be the Pistons' second major deal in two weeks. They sent leading scorer Jerry Stackhouse to the Washington Wizards in a six-player trade that brought shooting guard Richard Hamilton to Detroit.
Power forward Ben Wallace apparently is the only player the Pistons wouldn't trade.
The departure of White will ease a logjam at small forward, which includes veteran Michael Curry, Corliss Williamson and rookie Tayshaun Prince.
White and Prince are the same age, but Prince played four years at Kentucky, and his experience was evident during the team's summer league. Prince impressed coaches with his poise, savvy and long wing span.
While Prince showed he might win a spot in the rotation off the bench, White struggled with his shooting during the Orlando Summer League and with the prospect of fighting Curry, the incumbent, and Williamson, the league's sixth man of the year last season.
White would have had to play far better in training camp to win minutes this season.