Lalika blog

Future uncertain for Pistons G Hamilton

MILWAUKEE – Pistons guard Richard Hamilton said on Saturday he has no idea why he was inactive for Detroit's 92-82 win over New Jersey the night before and doesn't know what to expect next.

Hamilton told The Associated Press that it's one of the most trying times of his career in a brief conversation before the Pistons played the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Coach John Kuester said Hamilton would be active against the Bucks, and he entered the game late in the first quarter.

"I just found out that I was active just now," Hamilton said walking to the locker room. "Your guess is as good as mine, man."

General manager Joe Dumars declined to comment before the game. In a later interview with Fox Sports Detroit, Dumars said he wants Hamilton and Kuester to put aside their differences and that he disliked the situation becoming a public display.

Kuester previously said it was an internal decision to make Hamilton inactive on Friday night.

Hamilton didn't directly address whether there had been an event that led to him being inactive even though the Pistons have been short-handed already because of injuries.

Hamilton said before the game it looks like he'll be traded, but his contract may not be easy to move even though he's averaged 17.7 points per game over his career. Hamilton signed an extension in 2008 for about $34 million over three years that just kicked in this season, but the third year is only partially guaranteed.

"That's how you see it, that's how you look at it. It's like a rollercoaster ride to tell you the truth. You don't know what to expect," Hamilton said. "It's tough, it's hard. It's one of those things that you can't control."

Hamilton, who turns 33 on Feb. 14, is having the worst season of his 12-year career since he played sparingly as a rookie in Washington. Before entering the game against the Bucks, Hamilton missed 13 games, last playing 21 1/2 minutes on Jan. 10 in a loss at Chicago.