"Super Dupe is back -- again.
The Pistons on Monday signed 6-foot-7 small forward Ronald Dupree, who they traded to Minnesota before last season. Dupree signed a two-year deal worth about $1.57 million, with the second year being a player option. This is Dupree's third run with the Pistons. He was the last man cut from the 2003-2004 team. Then, after spending one season with the Bulls, Dupree was re-signed by the Pistons and played 47 games in 2004-2005."
"The Pistons really liked Ron before, and once they moved (Maurice Evans) to the Lakers, that opened a spot for him," said Mark Bartelstein, Dupree's Chicago-based agent. "They feel like Ron has a huge upside and there is a spot available for him. He's excited about coming in and competing for those minutes."
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The Pistons chose to sign Dupree instead of taking a chance on undrafted rookie Nik Caner-Medley, who impressed during summer-league play, largely because of Dupree's experience."
"Point guard
Will Blalock, the Pistons' second-round draft pick, also will have a good chance to win a roster spot."
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Today the Pistons will sign Dupree to a two-year minimum contract, with the second year a player option. "He really enjoyed it there," Dupree's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. "He had a great relationship with his teammates there, and he felt like he had a chance to go back and play on a championship contending team."
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They are still in negotiations with Acker, a restricted free agent. But besides veteran's minimum deals, the team has no more money to spend on the free-agent market."