Taking a look at this trade it’s obvious that Dumars made a another good deal. Charlotte is going to take on the near $24 million that Nazr Mohammed is owed over the next 3 years. The two players the Pistons got in exchange, Hermann and Brezec are both on contracts that expire at seasons end. This makes the Pistons a player in a rich free agent market this offseason.
So long Nazr: It’s no secret that the Pistons over payed for Nazr in their haste to replace Ben Wallace who left the team with a void at center when he bolted for Chicago’s dough in the summer of 2006. With Ben’s obvious decline and the Pistons new found financial flexibility how good does not resigning Ben look today? The Bobcats desperation for a big man because of injury provided the recipe for Detroit to get out from under Mohammed’s contract.
You could tell early on last season Mohammed just wasn’t the antiphon to the Pistons needs down low. Nazr hit the pine when Chris Webber fell into the Pistons lap last season. He would have been traded sooner if not for that contract. Nazr, when you do the math, was averaging about $21,838 a minute this season, now compare that to roughly $3,365 that Maxiell is averaging.
Say what you want about Nazr you have to respect his professionalism this season. He played hard each time he was called upon and never complained about getting spot minutes. From what is being said out of Charlotte Nazr will be their starting center. So I say good for him and wish him well. See ya on January 12th.
Webber?: The combination of Brezec and Herman’s contracts leaves the Pistons paying $900,000 less this season than they were with Nazr. More room under the luxury tax line could mean the resigning of a guy Pistons’ fans just can’t seem to let go of…C-Webb.
Dupree: We got two players for our one. We have a full 15 man roster and that’s the max the league lets you carry so someone had to be the odd man out. Hopefully Super Dupe can catch on with another team and double his salary this season.
Primo Brezec, C: (7′1″ / 255 lbs. / 28 yrs) Primo is a 6th year pro. Had two very productive years for Charlotte averaging 12.7 ppg and 6.5 rbg before injuring his back last season. He’s been starting this season for new Bobcat’s coach Sam Vincent but not really getting starter’s minutes (13 mpg) and his numbers are way down (1.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg).
Walter Herman, F: (6′9″ / 225 lbs. / 28 yrs) Hermann (also known as ‘Fabio’ for obvious reasons) is a 2nd year pro. Hermann has been played sparingly this season. He’s noted for having an excellent second half the the 2006-07 season when he averaged nearly 10 points and played as a starter. Hermann is said to have a good perimeter game and plays with a lot of energy.
Joe Dumars said in his press conference that neither player was a throw in, that they had expressed interest in both over the past year. I don’t expect to see either in big roles with the Pistons. They’ll be solid role players as the Pistons look to add another championship trophy to the mantle. Look for a bigger role for Jason Maxiell and more minutes for developing Amir Johnson.
52 combined fouls, many coming in the second half
