Webber headed to Pistons
Over the weekend, Chris Webber stayed true to his original promise of talking with several NBA teams, but a commitment made to the Detroit Pistons on Friday proved to be unshakable, team and league sources confirmed on Monday.
The Pistons are bringing Webber back home, where he'll sign with them once he clears waivers on Tuesday afternoon.
"After careful thought and discussions with my family, I have decided I will sign with the Detroit Pistons," Webber said in a statement. "I thank all of the interested teams for their time and consideration. Joining the Pistons will allow me to play the game I love in my hometown of Detroit, surrounded by my family. I look forward to joining a roster of talented athletes and working towards a fourth NBA title for the Pistons and the great city of Detroit."
Webber, 33, is expected to move into the starting center spot for Detroit, which is 21-14 and trailing Cleveland in the Central Division. This was a coup for Pistons general manager Joe Dumars and coach Flip Saunders, who beat out most of the NBA's elite playoff contenders to sign Webber. After Philadelphia bought out most of the $43 million left on his contract last week, Webber was determined to sign with a contender.
The Pistons give Webber a chance to return to his childhood and collegiate roots, and maybe most of all, repair a relationship with a region that had been scarred with the booster scandal at the University of Michigan.
