Richard ‘RIP’ Hamilton parts ways with Detroit Pistons; Chicago Bulls likely destination: NBA Update
Its official, the Detroit Pistons have finally parted ways with the three times All-Star and one of the greatest playoffs performers in the history of the league, Richard ‘Rip’ Hamilton.
Rip has been one of the greatest servants of the franchise and even when leaving, he did the Pistons one last favour – buying out his heavy contract, saving the rebuilding club $4 million in cap space in each of the next two years.
Hamilton was guaranteed to make 19 mills in the next two years, but bought out his contract for only 11 million dollars.
Taking to the twitter to bid adieu to the fans, Hamilton said;
"Thank u to all my Detroit fans, love all of u. U will always have a special place in my heart. Yessssssirrrrr."
Hamilton was the part of the early 2000 revolution that turned the franchise from a bottom ranker to one of the elites in the top heavy Eastern Conference. Famed as the bad boys, the Pistons went on to win the NBA championship
in 2004 by beating the mighty Los Angeles Lakers, and in six consecutive years, the team qualified for the conference finals.
However, after the Pistons traded away Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets and roped in John Kuester as the new head coach, things started to go down stream both for the Pistons and Rip. The Pistons lost their pedigree and Hamilton
his numbers. The situation became so bad last season that Richard and some veteran players were involved in public spats with Kuester.
With a new owner at helm, the Pistons are now looking to start afresh and the Hamilton move is a part of that strategy.
The veteran shooting guard has already sparked interest with one of the Eastern Conference giants, the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls have been on the lookout of a shooting guard ever since their conference finals debacle against the Miami Heat last season. Many analysts anticipated them to purse Jason Richardson of the Orlando Magic, but after the
Magic re-signed him, the availability of Rip has opened a new option for Chicago.
Richard has no doubt lost his spark in the last couple of years, but a change in environment and more illustrated team mates by his side might just be the catalyst to wake up the sleeping giant. If he does find his groove in the
windy city, the Bulls will not only have a reliable second scoring option along with the reigning league MVP Derrick Rose; they might just be able to win the first championship after the Michael Jordan era.
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