Pistons Report: Getting Inside
Billionaire financier Tom Gores appears to be the next majority owner of the Pistons, but it's much too late for him to have any impact this season.
Current owner Karen Davidson announced Friday through a spokesman that she has extended the exclusive negotiating period between her and Gores for another two weeks. Gores received exclusivity early last month.
That would refute a report that Gores had already reached an agreement to buy the Pistons, the Palace of Auburn Hills and the outdoor concert venue DTE Music Theatre for $420 million. But it would be a major surprise if Gores, a Michigan native, does not wind up in charge of the franchise. Any deal would have to be approved by the league's Board of Governors.
Personnel moves have been affected by the drawn-out negotiations to sell the franchise. Davidson started exploring that possibility during the middle of last season. Though team president of basketball operations Joe Dumars has not said it publicly, it has hampered his ability to improve the team. He has not made a trade since that time and his only free agent move was to sign Tracy McGrady to a veteran's minimum contract.
Dumars has not been able to trade guard Richard Hamilton in large part because he can't swap him for another player with an onerous contract. That won't change before the trade deadline later this month.
If Gores takes over, the biggest issue will be whether he retains Dumars, if Dumars wants to stay. Dumars was given the freedom and financial flexibility to build a championship under previous Bill Davidson, who died in 2009. Gores would appear to be the deep pockets owner that the Pistons need to regain their status as an Eastern Conference contender.
"There's been a lot of say-so throughout the season as far as a new owner and what's going to happen. Are things going to get done because of the situation?" said forward Tayshaun Prince, whose team plays at home against Portland on Sunday. "We can't use that as an excuse for the way we're playing. If it happens, great, because we can move on from it. But it's not a done deal."
By purchasing the building, Gores would also quell talk of moving the franchise back to the city of Detroit. Though The Palace was built in the late 1980s, it's still the league's biggest arena and can churn a big profit when the team is competitive and the seats fill up.
HEAT 106, PISTONS 92: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh toyed with the Pistons, combining for 57 points, 26 rebounds and 18 assists Friday as Miami beat them for the third time this season. The Heat never trailed as the Pistons blew eight layups and missed eight 3-point tries in the first half alone.
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