By Chris McCosky / The Detroit News
Before boarding a plane to Las Vegas on Thursday, Pistons president Joe Dumars signed first-round draft pick Jason Maxiell.
"We are happy to have Jason signed," Dumars said in a prepared statement. "Jason will provide added depth off our bench and we expect him to be a great addition to our basketball team."
Maxiell, the 26th overall pick from the University of Cincinnati, signed a two-year guaranteed contract worth an estimated $1.9 million, earning more than $900,000 next season. The Pistons will hold options for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons.
"My goal is to just take my time, go step by step and each day try to learn more about playing at this level," said Maxiell, a 6-foot-7, 260-pound power forward.
Maxiell is in Las Vegas, preparing with the Pistons' summer league team, which begins play today at Cox Pavilion on the campus of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Also on the Pistons' summer league team are second-round draft picks Amir Johnson (a 6-9, 18-year-old forward) and Alex Acker (a 6-5 guard). Both are unsigned.
Current Pistons Darko Milicic and Carlos Delfino headline the team, which is being coached by Pistons assistants Gar Heard, Dave Hanners, Phil Ford and the rest of Larry Brown's staff.
Dumars spoke to Brown's agent Joe Glass again and the situation remains unresolved. It is expected to remain that way until at least the end of the month.