Pistons agree with Gordon, Villanueva

A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Detroit Pistons have agreed in principle to contracts with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

The person spoke to the Associated Press on Wednesday night on the condition of anonymity because 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. He was the Bulls’ top scorer the last four seasons and became an unrestricted free agent after this season. Chicago officials had said bringing him back next year was a top priority.

The 26-year-old Gordon averaged 20.7 points during the regular season before scoring 24.3 points during the playoffs when the Bulls lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

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

Villanueva averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds last season for the Bucks.

Pistons vacancy

Joe Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, says he wants to name a replacement for fired coach Michael Curry in time for next week’s developmental league opening in Las Vegas.

Curry, who led the Pistons to a 39-43 record and the playoffs in his only season as coach, was fired Tuesday.

Maynor signs

Point guard Eric Maynor signed a two-year deal with the Utah Jazz.

As the 20th overall pick in the draft, Maynor, who played at Virginia Commonwealth, gets $1.3 million his rookie season.