Aug. 2, 1999
SportsLine wire reports

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons Monday announced the signing of small forward Michael Curry, who spent the past two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks.

	Related Links: Rumor Mill First-round draft pick signing status
	T O P   N E W S

Curry will get $12 million over five years from the Pistons. The Bucks had the next best offer, $10 million over four years.

"The Bucks' offer was very, very good, but the main factor at this stage of his career after so many years of moving his family around was getting the longest and most stable situation," said Curry's agent, Guy Zucker.

The 6-foot-5 Curry spent 1½ seasons with the Pistons before going to the Bucks. As a reserve last season, he averaged 4.9 points and made $550,000.

"WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO have Michael back in the fold here in Detroit," Pistons general manager Rick Sund said in a statement.

"We didn't want to lose him (to Milwaukee) when he left here, but at the time, he made a decision in the best interest of his family," Sund said. "Now, at a time when he could have played for a number of teams, we are thrilled that Michael has decided to come back to Detroit. His leadership, toughness and intangibles are key ingredients that can certainly help us."

Curry, 30, said the time was right for him to return to Detroit.

"I value the coaching staff and playing here next to a superstar player like Grant Hill enables us to compete with the best teams in the NBA," Curry said. "If you can add the right role players around a guy like Grant, you can win a lot of games and contend for a championship."

Hill lobbied for Curry's return immediately after last season.

"HE MIGHT NOT BE THE most talented buy, but if I'm going down, I want to go down with people who want to win, play hard and play with passion. He's somebody who plays like that," Hill told the Detroit Free Press for a story Monday.

Jud Buechler also is expected to sign a one-year deal with a player option for a second year using the team's $1.1 million exception, said his agent, Mark Bartelstein. Buechler was 10th in the league last season in 3-point shooting proficiency -- 41 percent.

Buechler reportedly had other offers -- one from San Antonio, the other from the Los Angeles Lakers and their new coach Phil Jackson, for whom Buechler played in Chicago for four seasons.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 1999, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved