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Looks like it's between Detroit and Miami with Miami having a slight edge. Would he wanna play in a place like Miami where they will be too many ego's and not enouogh PT to share? If he's smart he chooses Detroit and brings us another championship. If he picks Miami we still beat them with tha help of Latrell Spreewell.
source: mlive.com
AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat squared off in the NBA playoffs in June to determine the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Now, they're battling for Michael Finley, arguably the best available unsigned free agent.
Although several media reports indicated that Detroit and Miami are joined by San Antonio and Phoenix in trying to woo Finley, three NBA officials contacted on Tuesday said that Finley will decide between Miami or Detroit.
"It only makes sense that he would play for either Miami or Detroit," said a league source whose team was among those who contacted Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, after the 32-year-old became a free agent late Monday night. "They (Pistons and Heat) have the most money to offer him, and they provide him with the best chance at playing time while competing for a championship. "
The Pistons and the Heat both have their $5 million mid-level exception to offer Finley, who was waived by the Dallas Mavericks as part of the league's one-time "amnesty rule" that allowed teams to waive high-salaried players and not have those salaries count against them for luxury tax purposes.
The Spurs have just a portion of their mid-level exception remaining, while the Suns can only offer the veteran's minimum, about $1.1 million.
While the Pistons remain in the mix, the Heat is considered the favorite to land Finley because of his many connections to the organization.
Finley's agent also represents Miami's Dwyane Wade, one of the NBA's rising stars. Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy coached Finley at the University of Wisconsin, and they have remained close. And then there's the chance to play with Shaquille O'Neal, who makes any team he plays for a title contender.
But, there are some drawbacks to playing for the Heat. Finley will battle defensive-minded James Posey and former Mavs teammate Antoine Walker for playing time at small forward.
Finley's biggest concern with the Pistons also appears to be playing time. He wants to be a starter, but would likely play behind Tayshaun Prince in Detroit.
Finley's agent did not return phone calls on Wednesday. However, through a spokesman at his Chicago-based office, Thomas indicated that Finley is looking at all his options and that there is no definitive timetable to make a decision.
If Finley doesn't sign with Detroit, the Pistons will focus on free agents Latrell Sprewell, who played for new coach Flip Saunders in Minnesota, and Dale Davis, who Detroit tried to sign last season. Davis ended up playing for the Indiana Pacers.
source: mlive.com
AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat squared off in the NBA playoffs in June to determine the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Now, they're battling for Michael Finley, arguably the best available unsigned free agent.
Although several media reports indicated that Detroit and Miami are joined by San Antonio and Phoenix in trying to woo Finley, three NBA officials contacted on Tuesday said that Finley will decide between Miami or Detroit.
"It only makes sense that he would play for either Miami or Detroit," said a league source whose team was among those who contacted Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, after the 32-year-old became a free agent late Monday night. "They (Pistons and Heat) have the most money to offer him, and they provide him with the best chance at playing time while competing for a championship. "
The Pistons and the Heat both have their $5 million mid-level exception to offer Finley, who was waived by the Dallas Mavericks as part of the league's one-time "amnesty rule" that allowed teams to waive high-salaried players and not have those salaries count against them for luxury tax purposes.
The Spurs have just a portion of their mid-level exception remaining, while the Suns can only offer the veteran's minimum, about $1.1 million.
While the Pistons remain in the mix, the Heat is considered the favorite to land Finley because of his many connections to the organization.
Finley's agent also represents Miami's Dwyane Wade, one of the NBA's rising stars. Heat head coach Stan Van Gundy coached Finley at the University of Wisconsin, and they have remained close. And then there's the chance to play with Shaquille O'Neal, who makes any team he plays for a title contender.
But, there are some drawbacks to playing for the Heat. Finley will battle defensive-minded James Posey and former Mavs teammate Antoine Walker for playing time at small forward.
Finley's biggest concern with the Pistons also appears to be playing time. He wants to be a starter, but would likely play behind Tayshaun Prince in Detroit.
Finley's agent did not return phone calls on Wednesday. However, through a spokesman at his Chicago-based office, Thomas indicated that Finley is looking at all his options and that there is no definitive timetable to make a decision.
If Finley doesn't sign with Detroit, the Pistons will focus on free agents Latrell Sprewell, who played for new coach Flip Saunders in Minnesota, and Dale Davis, who Detroit tried to sign last season. Davis ended up playing for the Indiana Pacers.
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