Report: Pistons, Johnson agree to three-year deal

Jul 13, 2007 - 12:30 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons have signed forward Amir Johnson to a three-year, $11 million contract, according to a report Thursday on the Detroit Free Press' web site.

A second-round pick of Detroit straight out of high school in 2005, Johnson spend most of last season in the D-League but did manage 5.9 points and 4.6 rebounds in eight games with the Pistons.

With the majority of Detroit's core players advancing in age, president Joe Dumars must feel comfortable with his young group of talent that should be featured next season. The 21-year-old Johnson will join forward Jason Maxiell and 2007 first-round picks Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo as the key reserves for coach Flip Saunders.

On Wednesday, Detroit addressed its top offseason priority, inking two-time All-Star and 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups to a five-year, $60 million deal.