Ben Wallace unsure about returning for another season – NBA News
The Detroit Pistons have important decisions to make this offseason, and one of the most important relates to the future of Ben Wallace with the club.
Wallace is one of the greatest defensive centres in the history of the league, and was a member of the Pistons roster that won the NBA title in 2004. However, Wallace has already played 16 seasons in the NBA and is not at his best currently. His days of dominating the defensive end have passed now, leading both Wallace and the Pistons to ponder on whether he should return next season.
Wallace was part of the Pistons roster from 2000 to 2006, after which he moved to the Chicago Bulls. He landed back with the Pistons in 2010.
The Pistons drafted Andre Drummond this year in the NBA draft, and are expected to play him as the starting centre next season. With younger options available, the Pistons might look to let Wallace go and start training Drummond.
Wallace, on the other hand, is also not sure whether he wants to return for another season. He recently hosted a summer league event in Virginia. Detroit Free Press had an interview with the former defensive player of the year at the event, and had this to report.
“Speaking with Richmond, Va., TV station WTVR, he said he is “50-50″ about returning to the Pistons. According to the report, Wallace was preparing to participate in a summer league he sponsors, and he indicated his performance would help him decide. “I’ll be out here,” Wallace said. “How much of a player (he still is) remains to be seen.”
Wallace played 15.8 minutes per game for the Pistons this past season, averaging 1.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He can play the role of a mentor to the younger players and keeping him in the line-up will have a good impact in the locker room and help develop Drummond and second round pick Khris Middleton.
It will be a tough decision for the Pistons to part ways with one of the biggest stars of the franchise. But before Detroit makes their decision, Wallace needs to decide what he wants to do next.
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