Pistons retain Hunter, add Mohammed, Murray, Dupree

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Nazr Mohammed, Flip Murray and Ronald Dupree signed with the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, adding depth to a team that has been depleted by the loss of All-Star center Ben Wallace.

The Pistons also re-signed guard Lindsey Hunter to a two-year deal worth $4.5 million.

The Pistons signed Mohammed to a five-year contract -- with the final year being an option -- that will pay the center $5.2 million next season. Murray accepted Detroit's two-year offer worth $3.5 million, and Dupree signed a two-year, $1.5 million deal.

Mohammed started in 30 of 80 games last season for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 17.4 minutes. He matched a career high with a 30-point performance, making 13-of-21 shots against the Phoenix Suns on March 17, and he grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds earlier in the season.

"Nazr is a proven veteran in this league and can help provide stability at the center position," said Joe Dumars, the Pistons' president of basketball operations. "His defensive presence and rebounding will help solidify our frontline, while his experience and professionalism will provide added value in our locker room."

Murray, a shooting guard, averaged 11.2 points last year for Seattle and Cleveland. The Cavs were 18-7 with Murray in the starting lineup after they acquired him in a midseason trade.

"He has shown the ability to score and we feel like he will add a key dimension to the current group of guards that we have on the roster," Dumars said.

Dupree, a forward, appeared in 36 games with Minnesota last season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds.

Hunter appeared in 30 regular-season games last season, averaging 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

Detroit was willing to make Wallace the highest-paid player in franchise history next season, but it chose not to increase its offer by more than $10 million to compete with Chicago's four-year, $60 million deal.