Jason Collins reportedly drawing interest from Detroit Pistons
Free-agent center Jason Collins appeared in 38 games for the Celtics and Wizards last season. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
The Detroit Pistons have expressed "exploratory interest" in free-agent center Jason Collins, ESPN.com's Ramona Shelbourne and Marc Stein are reporting.
According to the report, the team has not made an offer but has opened dialogue with Collins, who in April became the first openly gay male athlete in one of the four major U.S. sports leagues.
The 34-year-old has played for six different teams over his 13 NBA seasons. In 2012-13, he appeared in 38 games for the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards, averaging 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in just over 10 minutes per game.
The Pistons' frontcourt includes 20-year-old center Andre Drummond and forwards Greg Monroe and Josh Smith, who signed a four-year, $54-million deal this offseason.
From ESPN.com:
One guaranteed contract shy of the league's limit of 15, Detroit is said to be intrigued by the veteran know-how Collins possesses and views him as a potential insurance signing in support of its two blossoming big men: Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
Leaguewide interest in the veteran center has nonetheless been somewhat tepid during the first six weeks of NBA free agency, sources said, but that was not wholly unexpected given Collins' recent play.
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