Chris McCosky: Pistons Insider

Rasheed Wallace never wanted a buyout

Sorry to spoil another rumor with the truth.

Contrary to published reports out of Cleveland, Rasheed Wallace never approached Joe Dumars about a buyout.

Could you imagine? Here's Wallace, struggling most of the season, missing 11 games with a calf injury, coming into Dumars' office and saying, "Joe, I need you to buy me out so I can finish the season with the Cavs. You know, help LeBron get that 'ship."

Sure, anything you want.

Wallace, as Dumars confirmed through e-mail Tuesday, wouldn't be that bold, or stupid.

That said, one of Wallace's running bits in the locker room was to wish out loud for a buyout. It started when the Pistons signed Chris Webber a couple years ago after he'd been bought out by Philadelphia.

Wallace would always say, "Damn, I wish somebody would buy me out."

It was a joke. He was envious of Webber getting all his money from the 76ers and another check from the Pistons on top of it.

Now, the other part of the Cleveland report -- that the Cavaliers will consider signing Wallace this summer -- is true.

Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry loves big men who can shoot from the perimeter. He would love to have Wallace spotted up when LeBron James draws double- and triple-teams.

About McDyess

It's time for Antonio McDyess to be loyal to himself. He is going to be a hot-ticket free agent this summer and easily will make the $8 million he left on the table in Denver to rejoin Detroit this season.

He made it clear after Game 4 he wanted to play for a winner. He's got maybe two seasons left to chase that ring.

What Dumars has to do is convince McDyess his plan to rebuild the team this summer is going to work.

If he can coax McDyess into holding off signing until he can make some moves after July 1, then maybe McDyess will re-up.

If not, Boston, Cleveland and San Antonio -- to name a few -- will be looking for frontcourt help this summer.

Hamilton or Prince?

I've written that Tayshaun Prince is more likely to be traded than Richard Hamilton for a couple reasons:

• His contract (two years and $21 million left) will be easier to move than Hamilton's ($35 million extension); and

• Because of the way teams in the East are built -- the best have powerful, high-scoring small forwards -- the Pistons have to get stronger at Prince's position.

Coach Michael Curry has talked about wanting to play a more up-tempo style, and that's not going to happen with Prince. He's a walk-it-up, half-court guy.

But Prince has value.

His intelligence, length and ability to handle the basketball and score both outside and in the post are enough to bring back an elite player.

The worry is, who can the Pistons get to play small forward? Would you settle for somebody like Hedo Turkoglu ? No. Would you settle for Rodney Carney ? Not me. How about Corey Maggette ? Luol Deng ?

While every team wants a power three like James, Paul Pierce , Danny Granger , Andre Iguodala or Caron Butler , there aren't a lot out there.

So, who knows? Maybe that forces Dumars to try to move Hamilton, keep Prince and open the vault for Ben Gordon .

chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489