VIA ESPN:

Before they commit to Allen Iverson for one year, the Los Angeles Clippers want to look him in the eye and ask him about coming off the bench.

Iverson’s answer, if the meeting happens, will go a long way toward determining whether “The Answer” will land in Los Angeles for a one-year contract for the mid-level exception of $5.8 million.

Sources told ESPN.com Tuesday that Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, was traveling to Las Vegas to arrange a meeting with the Clippers as the next step in the process of finding a new home for Iverson, the former MVP and four-time scoring champion who is an unrestricted free agent.

The Memphis Grizzlies remained the most viable fallback option for Iverson, with the Grizzlies holding the trump card — should they choose to play it — of being able to offer Iverson more money than the Clippers.

Also in the Iverson picture are the Miami Heat, who, like many NBA teams, are waiting this week to see how the fallout from the Paul Millsap offer-sheet signing will affect the free-agent and trade markets going forward.

Utah has until Friday to match Portland’s four-year, $34 million offer sheet, and the Blazers could re-enter the market as major cap-space players — a development that would send ripple effects throughout the league, affecting Lamar Odom, Carlos Boozer and others — if Utah decides to match.

Memphis is eager to add Iverson for his box-office appeal in a city where the franchise has struggled to tap into the community fan base, though Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has said he believes Miami is the favorite to end up with Iverson.

As for the Clippers, two sources said one major potential obstacle is whether Iverson would accept a role coming off the bench, and whether the Clippers are convinced he could be effective in a three-guard alignment with starters Baron Davis and Eric Gordon.

But the Clippers’ relative lack of depth in the backcourt would offer Iverson additional minutes, and the allure of playing in a large market is a factor that favors both Los Angeles and Miami over Memphis.

One source indicated the Clippers’ ongoing efforts to trade Chris Kaman was tangentially impacting their plans, and a second source said Los Angeles — which tried to acquire Indiana’s Jarrett Jack before he signed an offer sheet Monday with Toronto — also continues to have a strong interest in Milwaukee restricted free-agent point guard Ramon Sessions.

If the Clippers were to exit the Iverson derby, Memphis would be able to outspend Iverson’s other main suitor, the Charlotte Bobcats, whose financial flexibility in going after Iverson is restricted by luxury tax concerns.

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VIA ESPN:

The Detroit Pistons are closing in on a resolution in their coaching search after two days of talks with ESPN analyst Avery Johnson.

Sources familiar with the Pistons’ thinking told ESPN.com that Tuesday would be a decisive day in their courting of Johnson, exactly one week removed from the dismissal of Michael Curry.

Pistons president Joe Dumars had his first face-to-face meeting with Johnson at the latter’s Houston-area home Sunday night, which was followed by ongoing discussions between the sides Monday.

If they can’t strike an agreement on financial terms and other job parameters by Tuesday, Dumars and Johnson both appear prepared to move on. NBA coaching sources say Dumars, in that scenario, would then turn to Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach John Kuester to replace Curry.

Johnson has been widely regarded as the leading candidate for the position since ex-Pistons coach and current TNT analyst Doug Collins withdrew from consideration last week. That status stems largely from Dumars’ declarations after Curry’s firing about moving forward “with a more experienced coach” and his intent to have that coach in place before the Pistons begin summer-league play in Las Vegas later this week.

Yet it’s believed that Johnson, well aware that the Pistons are looking for their sixth coach as they enter Dumars’ 10th season in charge, is seeking the security of a four-year contract. Such a deal could prove cost-prohibitive for the Pistons after they paid both Flip Saunders and Curry last season and still owe Curry an estimated $5 million over two years. Detroit, though, would share the financial burden in the first two years with the Dallas Mavericks, who still owe Johnson an estimated $8 million over the next two seasons.

Sources familiar with the talks say Sunday’s meeting was positive and that the sides made further progress Monday, but obstacles remain. Dumars dropped a hint to that effect Friday, even before the face-to-face negotiations began, telling the Detroit News that it is “not a given” that Johnson will be hired despite the perception that Collins’ withdrawal opened up a clear path to the job for him.

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VIA ESPN:

Rasheed Wallace is joining the Boston Celtics, giving the Celtics one of the most important free agents on the marketplace as they attempt to return to the championship.

Bill Strickland, Wallace’s agent, told the Boston Herald and the Boston Globe on Sunday night that the 34-year-old forward told him to call off meetings the agent was in the process of scheduling with the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.

The Boston Globe reported Wallace will sign for two years at the mid-level exception.

Wallace won a championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004 after arriving in a mid-season trade, although his career has been noted just as much for his volatile interactions with officials and contentious relationships with coaches. However, the strong presence of veterans such as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in the Celtics’ locker room should keep Wallace in line and bring the focus to his positive attributes: the 6-foot-11 Wallace is a scoring threat from the low block to the 3-point arc and a long-armed, savvy defender.

“As much as Rasheed’s a headache, teammakes like him and he’s a winner,” an NBA executive said.

After trade rumors involving Allen and Rajon Rondo surfaced last month it appeared the Celtics might be trying to shift on the fly, at the risk of breaking up the core that won the 2008 NBA championship. Now they have landed a piece that makes them a prime contender to win again next season, with an emphasis on the short term. Wallace will be 35 in September and made joining a championship-caliber team a priority this offseason.

But Boston was always the leading contender, a positioned strengthened by a dinner meeting with Wallace involving Garnett, Pierce, Allen, coach Doc Rivers and owner Wyc Grousbeck last week.

Wallace restores frontcourt depth to the Celtics, who did not extend a qualifying offer to Leon Powe and could lose restricted free agent Glen Davis if another team signs him to a contract the Celtics decide not to match.

Both Boston papers are also reporting that the Celtics may be interested in signing Grant Hill, who averaged 12 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Phoenix Suns last season.

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VIA SI:

The Boston Celtics made their pitch to Rasheed Wallace on Thursday. And Wallace was receptive.

A contingent from the Celtics organization — including owner Wyc Grousbeck, President Danny Ainge, head coach Doc Rivers and All-Stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen — descended on Wallace’s suburban Michigan home on Thursday for a three-hour meeting with the free-agent forward.

“Solid, thorough, cogent and very impressive,” Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland, told SI.com about Boston’s recruiting trip. “[They] definitely gave Rasheed and his wife something to think about.”

During the course of the meeting the Celtics offered Wallace a contract using their entire mid-level exception. It is unclear how many years Boston offered Wallace, who will be 35 at the start of next season.

Multiple league executives believe Wallace is deciding between Boston and San Antonio. Both the Celtics and Spurs can offer Wallace the full mid-level exception ($5.6 million). With Ron Artest agreeing to terms with the Lakers and Trevor Ariza agreeing to a deal with Houston on Thursday, league sources expect Cleveland to make a late push for Wallace’s services. Orlando, should they choose not to re-sign restricted free agent Marcin Gortat, is also a possibility.

However, Boston and San Antonio stand as the strongest candidates. The Celtics can offer Wallace a chance to stay in the Eastern Conference as well as the opportunity to play with Garnett, who is a close friend. San Antonio, which traded forwards Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas last month in the deal for Richard Jefferson, can offer Wallace a starters role. Boston’s interest in Wallace is believed to be as a backup.

Wallace has given no indication as to when he will make a decision.

VIA ESPN:

The Detroit Pistons made the biggest early splash in free agency on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

Former Bulls guard Gordon will receive a five-year deal for between $55 million and $60 million, while former Bucks forward Villanueva gets a five-year deal for $40 million, sources told ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard.

Gordon rejected deals from Chicago in excess of $50 million each of the past two seasons. Milwaukee elected to let the 24-year-old Villanueva become an unrestricted free agent earlier this week, after the Bucks determined that matching any restricted free-agent offers would move the team closer to the luxury tax threshold and limit changing the roster.

The Associated Press first reported the Villanueva signing.

“I don’t have any regrets, and I don’t have any bitter feelings for the Bulls,” Gordon, according to the Chicago Tribune. “Business is business. I’m going to a situation now where winning is the No. 1 priority. I’m happy with my decision.”

Free agents can’t officially sign with new teams until July 8.

Gordon, who was taken third in the 2004 draft by Chicago, led the Bulls in scoring each of the past four seasons. He averaged 20.7 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting last year. For his career, he has a 21.3 points per game average.

Bulls officials had said re-signing Gordon was a top priority after previously failing to keep the former Connecticut star with a long-term contract.

“The Bulls and Pistons always have had a great rivalry,” Gordon said, according to the Tribune. “It will be exciting going against [the Bulls], especially [in Chicago] because this is one of the best sports towns anywhere. I’m definitely going to miss the fans. But being on the other side will be fun too.”

Villanueva, the seventh overall pick by Toronto in 2006 who has played the past three seasons with the Bucks, averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last season.

Detroit desperately needed to make a splash this offseason, entering it with nearly $20 million in salary-cap space and coming off its worst season in several years.

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VIA SI:

All or nothing seems to be the formula for coaching the Detroit Pistons. Bring home an NBA championship or hit the road.

First-year coach Michael Curry became the latest Pistons coach to get the ax as president for basketball operations Joe Dumars fired him Tuesday after watching his team stumble to a sub-.500 record and an embarrassing first-round exit from the playoffs.

But winning playoff games hasn’t been enough to keep Pistons management happy. Just ask Flip Saunders.

Dumars fired Saunders last season after he led the team to the Eastern Conference finals in each of his three seasons. Curry was an assistant under Saunders for one season.

In 2005, the Pistons parted ways with Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown after he helped them win a title and almost repeat during his two years with the team. And Rick Carlisle was fired after two years with the Pistons following a conference finals appearance in 2003 in his second season and NBA Coach of the Year honors in his first.

Curry and Dumars shared playing days together with Detroit. That may have helped Curry land the coaching job last year, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in it.

The Pistons went 39-43 in 2008-09 and were swept in the postseason in four lopsided losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers after six straight conference finals appearances. Dumars said after that series that Curry would return, but changed his mind by Tuesday.

“This was a difficult decision to make,” Dumars said in a statement. “I want to thank Michael for his hard work and dedication to the organization. However, at this time, I have decided to make a change.”

To peep the full story concerning the firing of Michael Curry, please click here and enjoy the read!

In one of the more boring NBA playoff series of 2009 the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the first round of their Eastern Conference contest with the Detroit Pistons last night in the Motor City. After blowing out the Pistons 99 to 78 King James (36 points, 13 boards and eight assists) will have some rest before facing the winner of the Miami/Atlanta series.

Check the highlights from NBA.com.

The best game of the weekend (and probably the best series so far) was between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics. Rookie of The Year Derrick Rose and sharp shooter Ben Gordon helped tie their series with the defending champs with a double-overtime victory (121-118) in The Windy City on Sunday. Rajon Rondo was a beast for the Celtics racking up another triple-double (25 pts, 11 rebounds & 11 assists). He’s the first Celtic to have two triple doubles in a playoff series since Larry Bird in 1986. The Bulls go back to Beantown on Tuesday for game five.

King James was just too much for the listless Pistons. Check the clip for highlights.