Photo by Kevin Ward
The Detroit Pistons and Jason Maxiell have agreed to a $20 million, four-year contract extension. The deal has not yet been signed on paper but it has been confirmed by a basketball official who in anonymity reported the agreement to the Associated Press on Thursday.
Jason Maxiell is in the final year of his contract and decided to remain with the team that drafted him instead of exploring free agency next season. In his rookie year, Maxiell only played in 26 games, then took advantage of a larger role in each of the next two seasons.
Maxiell and Amir Johnson are the frontcourt players the Pistons are counting on to fill in when Wallace and McDyess (both 34 years old) move on, retire or are traded.
“The Pistons are trying to bring the young guys along,” Indiana Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said Wednesday night after losing the season opener against Detroit. “They’ve got the luxury to be able to bring McDyess off the bench with [Rodney] Stuckey and Maxiell.”
Last season, Maxiell averaged career highs 7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 21.5 minutes per game.