It’s being reported that the Washington Wizards have worked out free agent Juan Dixon as recently as yesterday.  Dixon was drafted 17th overall by Washington in 2002 after being named the Final Four’s MOP after leading the Maryland Terrapins to a NCAA title.

The Wiz are most likely trying to look for quick fix after learning their one hundred-eleven million dollar man is going to miss the first couple months of the season following his most recent knee surgery.  The Wizard’s fan and Agent Zero himself have indicated they’d welcome the hometown hero back.

Juan was acquired by the Pistons at last season’s trade deadline from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Primož Brezec and cash considerations.

Fun Fact: Juan’s aunt Sheila Dixon is the mayor of Baltimore.

Some funny stuff from Chris McCosky’s newest blog entry. Looking at the their builds I’d have to say the smart money would be on Lindsey every time.

With the cameras rolling, Lindsey Hunter and Juan Dixon engaged in a little, good-natured grappling session in the locker room before the game Sunday. Apparently, a challenge was issued — not sure who the instigator was, but the smart money is on Hunter — and the two have been going at it verbally about who is stronger or whatever.

Well, Hunter walked over to Dixon, put a bear hug on him, lifted him off the ground and then dumped him on the ground — right at my feet. Dixon complained that Hunter caught him off guard, but apparently, the two went at it again in the trainer’s room, with the same result — Hunter pinning Dixon.

“That’s what I do!” Hunter told Dixon. “That’s what I do.” Dixon countered with: “I ain’t never going to quit.” To which Hunter said, “My cousin never quit either, but that doesn’t mean he ever won.”

Pretty funny stuff. Actually, the funniest part was, right in the middle of it, security chief Jerry Hendon ran out of the room saying, “I’m going to call security.”

Here’s a YT of Juan’s tough upbringing. There’s some similarities to Isiah Thomas’ story like using basketball as an escape from the tough inner city and having his older brother looking out for him making sure he kept on the straight and narrow.

So, we didn’t quite make the splash Cleveland did (see below) but here’s what we did do. The Pistons sent Priomz Brezec along with cash considerations to the Raptors in exchange for Juan Dixon (6′3″, 165 lbs.). I didn’t quite get why the Pistons would pick up another guard and trade away our only true center. Then it was cleared up a little for me after reading this on Pistons.com:

The Pistons have the option of cutting one of their spare guards and adding a big man currently a free agent. The likeliest scenario? Flip Murray, who hasn’t played in two months, could be bought out of his contract at little cost – it’s due to expire at the end of this season – and Dale Davis, who played for the Pistons last year and is free to sign with any team, could be signed as veteran big man insurance.

My wish for the Pistons was to pick up a large foul eating big man. Not so much for the East, but whom ever we might meet out of the West in the Finals. While I love Double D, I wonder what he’s got left in the tank? He hasn’t played since last season and even then it looked like he really labored up and down the court.

Juan can be a nice guy coming off the bench especially in favor of Flip Murray who is just too free lancing for our team. Dixon has not come close to the collegiate success he enjoyed leading Maryland to the 2002 NCAA Championship and being named the Final Four’s MOP. This season he’s averaging 4.3 ppg, 1.8 apg in 12 minutes per, with career averages of 9 ppg and 1.7 apg. The Pistons are the 4th team for Dixon since being drafted 17th overall in 2002 by the Washington Wizards, yes, ANOTHER Wizard’s retread. Juan, like Brezec, is in the last year of his contract. If we end up re-signing Dixon, Joe D. must go after Desmond Mason, the marketing possiblities would be through the roof!

Ben went where??

The Cavs were involved in a 3-team, 11 player deal that netted them former face of the franchise Ben Wallace. They also got Wally Sczcberbiak, Delonte West and Joe Smith. They sent Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, and Shannon Brwon to Chicago. And, Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall to Seattle.

Dan Gilbert’s Piston’s envy knows no bounds.

LBJ wanted some turnover and he got it.

When I first heard about the deal I just heard Ben Wallace & Drew Gooden and I was happy because it was another chance to get back at Ben for bolting, and the Cavs, already hurting for someone not named James to score a bucket, just down graded. But, then there’s Delonte West..solid, Wally Longlastname…solid, Joe Smith…savvy thorn in the Pistons’ side solid. All the sudden the Cavs have nice complimentary pieces to take some scoring pressure off Elvis.

Who would have thought the Bulls could move Ben’s contract? Maybe the same people who thought the Cavs could move Hughes’ big bank.

The rivalry just got a little more raw. You think Chi figured if they couldn’t overthrow us they’d help Cleveland do it? I’m not looking forward to seeing Ben in that nasty Cavs jersey. While I’ll miss hating that big gumpy mouth breather Drew Gooden, I think Delonte West is plenty ugly enough to get under my skin.

Buckle up Pistons Nation.

….Oh, also, former Piston pit bull Mike James was traded from Houston to New Orleans.

So much for retiring a Piston. I’m kinda sad to see the borderline out of control hot chocolate craving accessory whoring Slovenian gangsta go.  I wish him well, also, it looks as if all the connections between us and Toronto has led to a new trading partner, poor scorned Orlando.

TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors acquired center Primoz Brezec and cash from the Detroit Pistons on Thursday for guard Juan Dixon.

Dixon was averaging 4.3 points and 1.8 assists in 36 games with Toronto this season, his second with the Raptors. (via: ESPN)

Admittedly this is a crappy time to have shitty limited internet access, so I’ll have more on the days events tomorrow when the connection is stronger.