Pistons said to land Gordon, Villanueva

The Detroit Pistons have agreed in principle to contracts with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, a source close to the negotiations said last night.

NBA rules prohibit teams from announcing free-agent signings until next week.

Gordon, the third pick in the 2004 draft by the Chicago Bulls, agreed to a five-year deal for at least $50 million, the source said. He was the Bulls' top scorer in the last four seasons. The 26-year-old averaged 20.7 points during the regular season and 24.3 points in the playoffs.

Villanueva, the seventh overall pick by Toronto in 2005 who has played the last three of his NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, agreed to a five-year deal. His contract is said to be worth at least $35 million.

Villanueva averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds last season for the Bucks, who did not make him a qualifying offer for next season.

Pistons' coaching search. Detroit won't wait long to name a replacement for fired coach Michael Curry, team president Joe Dumars said.

"My goal is to have a head coach in place by the time we go out to Las Vegas," Dumars said in a video posted on the team's Web site. The NBA Summer League begins July 10.

Knicks, Kidd talk. Free-agent guard Jason Kidd and his agent met with New York's team president, Donnie Walsh, and coach Mike D'Antoni at Madison Square Garden on the first day of free agency.

Walsh told reporters no contract offer was made to Kidd, who is exploring his options.

New York is also trying to retain free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson.

The Dallas Mavericks are interested in keeping Kidd, so much so that owner Mark Cuban flew to New York on Tuesday and had a meeting with the star guard at 12:01 a.m. yesterday in Kidd's hotel.

Kobe stays in L.A. As expected, Kobe Bryant chose not to terminate the final two years of his contract and will remain with the Lakers, team spokesman John Black said.

Now the Lakers and Bryant's agent will negotiate a contract extension. If they cannot agree, he would earn $23 million next season and could opt out of his deal next June.

Bryant has spent his entire 13-year career with the team, winning four NBA championships.

Jazz sign Maynor. First-round draft pick Eric Maynor signed a two-year deal with Utah as the Jazz's summer-league team began a minicamp in Florida. The 20th overall pick in the draft out of Virginia Commonwealth, Maynor will make $1.3 million in his rookie season.