Chicago Bulls reportedly to sign Ben Wallace

[305BULLNPHINS]

This is def going to make the Bulls a huge threat in the Eastern Conference next year:

By Chad Ford

ESPN Insider

For the last six years, Ben Wallace has been the face of the Detroit Pistons. No more.

Ben Wallace

Center

Detroit Pistons

Profile

2006 SEASON STATISTICS

GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

82 7.3 11.3 1.9 .510 .416

A league source told ESPN.com Monday night that Wallace has told the Pistons he has accepted an offer from the Chicago Bulls.

While exact details are unavailable, the offer is thought to be a four-year, $52 million deal.

A deal can't become official until July 12, when the salary cap is set for the 2006-07 season and exact contract values can be computed.

The move will come as a shock to Pistons fans who thought the chances Wallace would bolt from Detroit were slim to none.

The Pistons came out of the gate Saturday offering Wallace a whopping four-year, $48 million deal, but they told the four-time defensive player of the year that it was their final offer.

The signing clearly upgrades the Bulls' front court, albeit at an exorbitant price. The Bulls will have to use roughly $13.5 million of their projected $16.7 million in cap space to secure Wallace.

However, Wallace adds the veteran toughness and defensive presence the Bulls felt they lacked up front.

Look for the Bulls to now explore trade scenarios involving Tyson Chandler.

One potential opportunity, according to sources, is New Orleans, which is mulling a Chandler-for-P. J. Brown swap. Brown is in the last year of his contract, which would give the Bulls even more cap relief next season.

The Bulls also have explored Chandler trade scenarios with the Hawks (via an Al Harrington sign-and-trade) and the Warriors.

The move puts the Pistons in a difficult position.

They lose Wallace for nothing and don't have anything more than the $5.1 million mid-level exception to offer to potential replacements.

There are a few starting center-caliber free agents out there, such as Joel Przybilla and Nazr Mohammed, but none who can give the Pistons what Wallace did.

Instead, the Pistons may opt to beef up their backcourt and to move to a more up-tempo style with Rasheed Wallace at five and Antonio McDyess at the four.

Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.

[Velcro]

The bulls seem to be making all the right moves this off season.  That Eddie Curry trade helped a ton too.

[305BULLNPHINS]

They are going to be a tough team next year...up there now with the CAVS and the Nets

[smazza]

DETROIT screwed up big time