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New Pistons forward Corey Maggette excited about opportunity in Detroit
Brenden savage mlive :
AUBURN HILLS ? Being traded from the last-place Charlotte Bobcats to the Detroit Pistons last week didn't surprise Corey Maggette and the veteran forward welcomed the change of scenery.
The Pistons acquired Maggette, 32, from the Bobcats in exchange for guard Ben Gordon and protected first-round draft choice.
The move will give the Pistons some financial freedom after the season as Maggette is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10.9 million while Gordon is due more than $12 million this season with a player option for $13 million next season.
"I wasn't surpised about it, the trade," Maggette said this morning. "Once you get toward the end of your career, the last year of your contract, things will happen. That's just what basketball is all about. I was excited about it.
"I have an opportunity to try to excel more if I want to continue to play more. I have another opportunity here. Coming from Charlotte, where you had the worst record in the league, this an improvement. I'm just looking forward to the challenge."
Maggette, who has played for five teams during his 13-year career, was limited to 32 games last season because of a right Achilles injury that ended his season three weeks early. He averaged 15 points and 3.9 rebounds last season.
He also underwent off-season knee surgery but expects to be ready for training camp and is excited about getting the opportunity to work with Pistons strength coach Arnie Kander as he prepares for his first campaign in Detroit.
Maggette likes the nucleus the Pistons have with third-year forward Greg Monroe, second-year guard Brandon Knight and rookie center Andre Drummond.
"With the people here, definitely with Arnie being here, being able to help me extend my career depending on how long I want to play ? depending on if I want to continue to play ? it can only help," he said. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity.
"God willing, it's whatever he wants to continue to do (in the future) I'm going to continue to do. This is another chapter with Detroit. I'm very happy to be here. Whatever happens next year, we'll see."
For his career, Maggette has averaged 16.2 points and 4.9 rebounds. His best season was 2004-05, when he averaged 22.2 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Clippers.
Maggette was drafted in the first round (13th overall) by Seattle in 1999 after playing at Duke.
Brenden savage mlive :
AUBURN HILLS ? Being traded from the last-place Charlotte Bobcats to the Detroit Pistons last week didn't surprise Corey Maggette and the veteran forward welcomed the change of scenery.
The Pistons acquired Maggette, 32, from the Bobcats in exchange for guard Ben Gordon and protected first-round draft choice.
The move will give the Pistons some financial freedom after the season as Maggette is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $10.9 million while Gordon is due more than $12 million this season with a player option for $13 million next season.
"I wasn't surpised about it, the trade," Maggette said this morning. "Once you get toward the end of your career, the last year of your contract, things will happen. That's just what basketball is all about. I was excited about it.
"I have an opportunity to try to excel more if I want to continue to play more. I have another opportunity here. Coming from Charlotte, where you had the worst record in the league, this an improvement. I'm just looking forward to the challenge."
Maggette, who has played for five teams during his 13-year career, was limited to 32 games last season because of a right Achilles injury that ended his season three weeks early. He averaged 15 points and 3.9 rebounds last season.
He also underwent off-season knee surgery but expects to be ready for training camp and is excited about getting the opportunity to work with Pistons strength coach Arnie Kander as he prepares for his first campaign in Detroit.
Maggette likes the nucleus the Pistons have with third-year forward Greg Monroe, second-year guard Brandon Knight and rookie center Andre Drummond.
"With the people here, definitely with Arnie being here, being able to help me extend my career depending on how long I want to play ? depending on if I want to continue to play ? it can only help," he said. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity.
"God willing, it's whatever he wants to continue to do (in the future) I'm going to continue to do. This is another chapter with Detroit. I'm very happy to be here. Whatever happens next year, we'll see."
For his career, Maggette has averaged 16.2 points and 4.9 rebounds. His best season was 2004-05, when he averaged 22.2 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Clippers.
Maggette was drafted in the first round (13th overall) by Seattle in 1999 after playing at Duke.
