Numbers game may play into McDyess’ plans

DETROIT | It will be interesting to see what the final salary-cap hit will be for free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, who made commitments to sign deals with the Detroit Pistons.

Whatever the final number, it will go a long way toward what the Pistons can offer unrestricted free-agent power forward Antonio McDyess, a former University of Alabama player.

The Pistons were working on the details Thursday. McDyess is expected to get offers from San Antonio, Cleveland, Boston and others.

The San-Antonio Express News reported that McDyess was one of the first players the Spurs reached out to when the free-agency period began Wednesday.

The Pistons would need an estimated $3 million to $5 million to make an offer to McDyess, 34, when the final salary-cap number is known later this month.

Gordon and Villanueva agreed to deals that average a combined $18 million per season — appearing to wipe out the Pistons’ salary-cap space.

Signing McDyess might take away the need for the Pistons to make a deal for a big man.