Pistons' Corey Maggette wants to play next season

[GunFactor007]

March 3, 2013
By Vince Ellis
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

NEW ORLEANS -- Corey Maggette was probably being a little sarcastic when he thanked Pistons coach Lawrence Frank for saving his "body this year."

But after riding the Pistons' bench for most of this season, Maggette said he definitely wants to play next season.

"Right now I've had a full year recovering and working with (strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander)," he told the Free Press on Friday. "We'll see what happens."

When the Pistons first traded Ben Gordon to Charlotte for Maggette in the summer, the longtime NBA veteran wasn't certain if he wanted to continue playing past this season when the five-year, $48-million deal he signed with the Golden State Warriors in the summer of 2008 comes to an end.

But Maggette, 33, who hasn't appeared in a game in 2 1/2 months, has taken to an elder statesman role with his young teammates.

"I really do like these guys and they won me over by just how hard they work," he said. "We have really good guys. From Kyle (Singler) to Kim (English) to Khris (Middleton) to Andre (Drummond) -- guys like Brandon (Knight) who is improving with each game. For me it's good to see that and help them out anyway I can."

Maggette even raised the possibility of resuming the role with the Pistons next season.

"Another option still is for me to be a veteran for these guys and come back here another year," he said. "That's another possibility because we have a lot of young talent here and still need a veteran to talk to, and I know I've gained the respect of those guys and I'll be able to do that.

"We'll see what happens after that."

The Pistons are open to a return engagement. The organization likes Maggette's positive influence despite a lack of playing time.

Pistons officials also insist there is still a market for Maggette around the league, which makes his dismissal of a possible buyout of the rest of his deal to go sign with another team kind of eye-opening.

When asked about it last week, Maggette said he didn't even know how the process worked. It's a moot point now since the deadline was Friday. But he was clear about what he thought of such a notion.

"I'm not a firm believer in giving up money anyway," he said. "But at the end of the day the approach is I'm here.

"It fits God's purpose that I'm here."

http://www.freep.com/article/2013030.../1051/sports03

[RipCity32]

Lol Magette,If we resign this guy to talk to our players than WTF.I do have to give him credit though for keeping such a positive mature attitude all year but see ya later.

[GuySir]

meh, he's just trying to say the right things

[driz]

I love how God always has a purpose in professional sports.

Hey he is a vet, and I'm sure he can teach the young bucks a thing or two at practice, but to pay him to do it again next year?? C'mon man....you're an expiring deal, and that's about it. A dollar amount hanging over your head.

[LionsFan..LOL]

Good for him. Go do it somewhere else please.

[jlisec01]

I like Corey Maggette but I just hate the cards that he was dealt this year. I understand all the circumstances but give the man some minutes ffs. However, I'll pass on him returning next year. It makes no sense at all for the pistons to resign him, he needs to go to a contending team for how many years he may have left.

[cwick925]

Yea he prolly wants to play this year too

[kduce]

Yea he prolly wants to play this year too

true story

[JWO35]

Give him a max contract....

[driz]

I say make him, Charlie, Max and Jonas all have a pre-game session of Red Rover during warm ups to see who's going to get the minutes. Winner takes all.

[todu82]

Good for him but hopefully it'll be with another team and not Detroit.

[Algmuskrats]

He hasn't played in along time with the Pistons and I just checked the details on tonights game and the reason why he's not going to play in tonights game against the Mavs is from a "illness". Sure Corey, an "illness".. smh.

[LionsFan..LOL]

It's okay Corey has already served his purpose. He got us out of the horrible bg contract and gave us more cap room for Joe to blow!