The Detroit Pistons are close to reaching an agreement with free agent Chris Webber, sources close to the negotiations said Thursday night.
Webber, 33, who had the final two seasons of his contract bought out by the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, will return to his Michigan roots where he once starred for Detroit Country Day High School and the University of Michigan.
Webber, who's still clearing waivers, can't officially with a team until Monday. He is expected to sign for a pro-rated $1.87 million-a-season, 10-year-veteran contract.
All along, sources said, the Pistons were Webber's No. 1 choice upon leaving the 76ers. They would give him a chance to finally reach the NBA Finals and perhaps compete for his first NBA title.
Webber on LA's Agenda 10:00 PM PST on Thursday, January 11, 2007
By Broderick Turner The Press-Enterprise
EL SEGUNDO - Chris Webber said he's interested in playing for the Lakers, and all indications are that the feelings are mutual.
Webber was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, making the power forward eligible to sign with another team once he clears waivers.
The Lakers listened to Webber's interview on TNT's halftime show and heard him mention the Lakers first when he discussed other teams like Orlando, Detroit, Miami and San Antonio that he likes.
"We'll discuss his desire to be one of the five teams he's considering," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a phone interview "It sounds like he wants to move quickly. We'll discuss it as an organization tomorrow and go from there."
Webber said he'd like to have a deal done Monday, but he won't clear waivers until Tuesday.
"I think the Lakers are great," Webber told TNT. "They play with the ball and the triangle offense is probably the greatest offense. They have a great coach and probably the best player in the league in Kobe (Bryant)."
Teams can talk to Webber and his representatives now, but can't sign him.
..Even though Webber isn't as mobile or as agile, the Lakers like his basketball acumen and felt good to hear him talk so highly about them...
..But for the Lakers to acquire Webber, they would have to waive a player because they are at the 15-player maximum. They can only offer him the veteran's minimum of $1.178 million because they are over the salary cap.
"We've always respected Chris Webber's game," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
It seems to me that the Pistons and the Lakers are the two teams in the running for the CWebb sweepstakes!
Just to add more fuel to the fire, from what I am hearing, Yahoo's report about Webber going to Detroit was up before he was interviewed on TNT. But on the TNT interview, he mentioned the Lakers first...
Sorry guys for all of the posts, but I keep reading and finding more and more crucial information. It's starting to look like the Lakers are in the lead!
Remember, this is from his agent! LA Times wrote:
Webber shows definite interest By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer January 12, 2007
Free-agent forward Chris Webber and the Lakers took another step toward each other Thursday, with Webber's agent saying his client was highly interested in heading west, and the Lakers acknowledging they were more than willing to listen.
"They're definitely a team that Chris is considering," agent Aaron Goodwin said. "He wants to be in a situation where he can continue to play and get significant minutes. He's rested, healthy and ready to go. The Lakers are playing well. Kobe's doing a great job of integrating everybody and turning it into a winning organization this year."
"There's a few teams that he's reviewing and then we're going to move forward. He's definitely excited."
Webber has narrowed his choices to the Lakers, Dallas, Detroit, Miami and Orlando, Goodwin said.
The Lakers weren't unhappy to hear they were on Webber's short list.
"Whenever a player like that is available and expresses interest, as an organization, you have to huddle with your coaches and discuss it," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. "We'll discuss this some more [Friday]. I think the first hurdle is for us to figure out what makes sense for us. He's a heck of a player."
The Lakers could offer Webber, 33, a two-year contract worth about $2 million, and they would have to waive a player to make room for him, probably Aaron McKie.
The Lakers will have to decide whether Webber, a jump-shooting power forward, will get the playing time he wants. Lamar Odom, their starter at the position, is due back by the end of the month from a sprained knee ligament.
Webber's weighty $43-million contract was bought out by the Philadelphia 76ers, who waived him Thursday. He can't officially sign with another team until Monday, although he will be having over-the-phone discussions with his teams of choice. He will not work out for any teams, Goodwin said.
The top pick in the 1993 draft, Webber averaged 11 points and 8.3 rebounds in 18 games this season. The five-time All-Star has averaged 21.4 points and 10 rebounds in his 14-year career.
Other teams could offer Webber more than the Lakers. Miami has its full mid-level exception, worth about $5 million this season, and Orlando has about half of its mid-level exception.
Dallas, Detroit and the Lakers used their mid-level exceptions during the off-season, the Lakers to sign Vladimir Radmanovic.
There is, however, another factor tilting in the Lakers' favor, Goodwin said.
the hornets should get him, that would be a stacked team next year
paul, peja, west, chandler, webber, butler, jackson, and while there out it get mo pete and that would be sick
seriously the only thing that would make the hornets amazing is if they had jr smith lol, he is the one peice (type of player they are missing) he is an explosive player who shoots the three and drives and is a cocky a$$
bballguru1234 wrote:i really hope he doesnt go to the lakers, it crushes odoms value
It doesn't crush his value, but yes, Lamar does take a bit of a hit. His rebounds will most likely take the biggest hit. His assists should remain the same if not get better and his scoring average might dip by a point or two.
Remember, it takes at least half a season to learn the triangle. The one thing that Webber has in his favor is the fact that the PF position in the triangle offense needs to be able to hit shots from the elbow (about 15 footers). The PF doesn't need to necessarily post up. This is why Kwame has found life at the PF position so difficult. He doesn't have a jump shot. He prefers to play the 5 with his back to the basket. The Laker organization is trying to work him into the PF spot because very soon (in the next year or two) Bynum will be the starting center. Moving Kwame to the 4 is the most obvious choice especially defensively.
But back to Webber, his game is not so much posting up. He's a bit soft and sometimes all too often falls in love with that midrange game. That is exactly the shot he needs to hit to be successful in the triangle.
Lamar will be able to move to the SF position. Why is that advantageous? Because every night he will have a mismatch playing him. He's 6'10" with PF post up & rebound ability, with a SF's shot, a SG's ability to drive to the whole and a PG's passing skills. Talk about a mismatch for the opposition! So Odom will not lose a significant amount of value.
lastemp3ror wrote:Detroit is also in the lead to land Mo Pete. I think this only further helps LA to land Webber.
Where are you hearing about Mo Pete to Detroit? When might he be dealt?
The more I think about it, I'm pretty confident with Odom even if Webber goes there. Phil has always loved Odom's skills in the triangle, he loves those point-forward type of players, like Pippen and Odom.
Cafe Home
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Baseball
Fantasy Hockey
Fantasy Cafe Wiki
by Big Game JLo on Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:54 pm 
