Detroit Pistons part ways with Richard Hamilton - NBA update
Richard aka ‘Rip’ Hamilton won’t be wearing Detroit Pistons jersey anymore.
According to Detroit’s General Manager Joe Dumars, the team management unanimously reached a decision in a meeting, held on the first day of free agency, to buyout the 33 year old veteran.
The new CBA provides amnesty clause to all the teams, using which they can terminate any player without paying him the remaining money on his contract, however Detroit will not be using the clause for Richard as Joe added.
"We've come to a verbal agreement. Once it's official, then I can get more detailed about why buyout instead of amnesty."
Detroit has gone through serious modifications in last one year or so.
First there was a new group of owners and it immediately resulted in the sacking of Coach John Kuester after two seasons of disappointments. This buyout move was always on the cards, as the player is now only a shadow of what he
was in the early 2000’s. Also, with Frank Lawrence in charge, it is understood that the management wants fresh blood at the franchise.
Probably, RIP saw it coming too, as he did not show any dissent after hearing the news and wholeheartedly accepted the decision. Thanking his fans who supported him over the years, he tweeted.
"Thank u to all my Detroit fans. Love all of u. U will always have a special place in my heart”
The news got his old buddy and team mate Ben Wallace sad. "It's tough to see a guy like that go, another member of the 2004 Pistons. "I won a lot of games with him, had a lot of fun with him. ... You hate to see him not be here,
but I'm pretty sure Rip, he's going to bounce back, he's going to land on his feet."
This decision by the management is completely justified, however in a way it can hurt the team big time as well. RIP had been a loyal servant for his team over almost a decade and played a vital role in team’s most memorable wins.
Although he lost his form in last two seasons, he still managed to finish with an average on the high side.
Detroit definitely would have worked out a replacement for him, but filling in the shoes of a great player like him will not be easy.
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