WASHINGTON — After leading the Detroit Pistons to a surprising turnaround season, Jerry Stackhouse will get a chance to do the same with the Washington Wizards.
The Pistons traded Stackhouse to the Wizards for Richard Hamilton in a six-player deal Wednesday. Washington also gets forward Brian Cardinal and center Ratko Varda, while Detroit lands forward Bobby Simmons and guard Hubert Davis.
"I'm just disappointed ... because I have to leave my home," Stackhouse said. "I have to leave a fan base that has grown with me since I've been here and who have been just unbelievably great for me. It's not easy, but at the same time it comes with this business and I understand that."
Stackhouse, a two-time All-Star, shed his unselfish image and became more of a team player last season. Detroit won 50 games — 18 more than the previous year — despite predictions the Pistons would finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Now he's going to a Wizards team that finished eight games below .500 last season despite the return of Michael Jordan.
"When you have the opportunity to add an All-Star player of Jerry's caliber, you can't hesitate on the chance to strengthen the team," Wizards general manager Wes Unseld said. "We had to part with several players we were very high on, but we feel we have improved."
The trade is a surprise ending to Jordan's overhaul of the Wizards starting lineup as he prepares for his final season. Washington will open the season with five new starters.
Also, by getting Stackhouse, Jordan is building for the future while enhancing his chances to go out a winner.
Hamilton is considered a possible future All-Star, while Stackhouse is in his prime. However, Stackhouse had only one year left in his contract with the Pistons, so Jordan's plan to clear plenty of room under the salary cap next offseason is still intact.
Stackhouse is the third starter acquired by the Wizards this offseason.