Post#93 » by Han Solo » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:59 pm
By Chad Ford
ESPN.com
Archive
The Detroit Pistons and restricted free agent Rodney Stuckey are struggling to come to terms on a long-term contract, sources said.
Stuckey, the Pistons' top free agent this offseason, is balking at what the Pistons are prepared to pay him. The Pistons have discussed a deal that would pay Stuckey between $40 million and $45 million over five years, according to sources.
By comparison, Mike Conley agreed to a five-year, $40 million extension with the Memphis Grizzlies in November.
Stuckey's representatives, seeking an even bigger deal, have been contacting other teams the past few days, looking to broker a sign-and-trade deal. However, the Pistons are telling teams that they won't agree to a sign-and-trade for Stuckey, sources said.
If the impasse continues, Stuckey's reps are threatening to take the Pistons' one-year, $3.87 million qualifying offer for Stuckey, which would make him an unrestricted free agent in 2012.
Chad Ford covers the NBA and the NBA draft for ESPN Insider.
Follow Chad Ford on Twitter: @chadfordinsider