NBA
Kuester near deal to coach Pistons
A person familiar with the negotiations said that the Detroit Pistons and former 76ers assistant John Kuester were nearing an agreement to make him their coach.
The person, who spoke last night on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not done, said the contract could be completed as soon as today.
Kuester spent the last two seasons as a Cleveland Cavaliers assistant and was on Larry Brown's championship-winning staff in Detroit in 2004.
He was also an NBA assistant with the Sixers, Orlando and New Jersey after coaching at George Washington University from 1985 to '90.
Kuester will become Detroit's fifth coach in nine seasons - following Michael Curry, Flip Saunders, Brown and Rick Carlisle.
Failed courtship. The Pistons spoke with Avery Johnson about replacing Curry, who was fired last week, but talks with the former Dallas Mavericks coach ended earlier yesterday.
Johnson, who was fired last year by the Mavericks with a lot of money left on his contract, can afford to wait to find the right fit to resume his coaching career. He plans to remain as an NBA analyst with ESPN.
The Pistons are expected to sign free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to five-year contracts today.
Salary cap goes down. The NBA salary cap has been set for next season at $57.7 million, a decline from 2008-09.
The figure the league announced last night was about $1 million less than last season's cap of $58.68 million, even though league-wide revenue rose 2.5 percent. The number is expected to drop further after next season when the full effect of the economic difficulties hits.
The new salary cap went into effect at 12:01 a.m. today, ending the NBA's moratorium period and allowing free agents to sign with teams.
Bibby stays put. The Atlanta Hawks have reached an agreement to re-sign Mike Bibby, 31, to a three-year deal.
Bibby's agent, David Falk, said he had reached an "oral understanding" that will allow the Hawks to retain the point guard who has led the team to two straight playoff appearances.
Bibby, an 11-year veteran, was an unrestricted free agent. He made $14.9 million this season and averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists per game last season.
Mavs sign guard. Point guard Rodrigue Beaubois, who has played professionally in France, signed his rookie deal with the club.
As the 25th overall pick, he is slotted to earn almost $896,200 this season and $963,400 next season.
