ON THE SIDELINES : Fennis Dembo Cut by Pistons

Fennis Dembo, who watched mainly from the bench as Detroit won its first NBA championship, has been cut by the Pistons.

The 6-foot-6 Dembo, who played guard and small forward, was released late Saturday after Detroit failed to negotiate a trade for the second-year player. Dembo’s release left Detroit with 14 players on its roster, with two final cuts expected by midweek, Coach Chuck Daly said.

Dembo was Detroit’s first pick and 30th overall in the 1988 NBA draft after finishing his college career as Wyoming’s leading scorer and rebounder. He had a total 36 points and 23 rebounds in his rookie season with Detroit, playing just 74 minutes in 31 regular-season games.