Report: Pistons sign Bynum, Sharpe

Jul 23, 2008 - 12:41 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent Will Bynum and 2008 second-round draft pick Walter Sharpe to two-year contracts, according to published reports Wednesday.

Bynum's agent, Mark Bartelstein told the Detroit News late Tuesday that Bynum is expected to sign Wednesday. The 6-foot, 185-pound guard's deal is worth $700,000 guaranteed for the first year and includes a team option for the second year, according to the report.

"He has great quickness, can really put the ball on the floor and is a big-time athlete," Bartelstein said.

Bynum averaged 3.6 points and 1.3 assists during his last stint in the NBA - 15 games with the Golden State Warriors during the 2005-06 season - before playing in the NBA Developmental League and in Europe. He was impressive during the NBA summer league in Las Vegas, scoring 11.8 points and 3.2 assists while playing in three of the five games.

Sharpe's agent Danny Servick told the newspaper the 32nd overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft inked his guaranteed contract earlier this month during the beginning of the summer league .

The newspaper did not report terms of Sharpe's contract, but did state that several scouts consider the 6-9, 245-pound forward as someone with "lottery pick level talent."

Sharpe, who began his college career at Mississippi State before transferring to Alabama-Birmingham, started all five summer league games, averaging 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals. He was also recently diagnosed with the sleep disorder narcolepsy and is taking medication, the report states.