The Detroit Pistons signed free-agent forward-center Brian Williams to a seven-year, $45 million contract Saturday.
The 6-foot-11-inch, 260-pound Williams sat out most of last season before signing with the Bulls for the final nine regular-season games. In 19 postseason games, Williams averaged 7.4 points and 5.2 rebounds.
While a key player in the playoffs as the Bulls won their fifth NBA title in seven seasons, Williams was not expected to stay after receiving just the league minimum–about $27,000–when he joined the team late in the season.
Williams, 28, has averaged 9 points and 5.6 rebounds a game.
The move had been expected after the Pistons traded power forward Otis Thorpe to the Vancouver Grizzlies earlier this month to make room under their salary cap for Williams.
The Pistons will be Williams’ fifth NBA team as he enters his ninth season in 1997-98. He has also played for Orlando, Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers.
