Austin Daye wants to improve his field goal percentage this season. Daye is expected to take on a big role with the re-building Pistons, so it's nice to hear that he has the desire to get better. "My rookie year I shot a better percentage from (two-point range) than I did my sophomore year, so I didn't like that at all," Daye said. "I've been focused in on that this summer." Daye shot 46.4% in his rookie season but just 41% during his sophomore campaign. He'll have to be better than that for Detroit if he's going to be trusted in an increased role.

Austin Daye has signed a two-month contract with Russian team Khimki Moscow according to Russian agent Obrad Fimic. The deal includes an opt-out clause, and when Daye returns to Detroit his fantasy value will be tied to Tayshaun Prince's free agency. Having shown flashes of versatility in the past, he'll be somebody to watch whenever basketball resumes.

Pistons forward Austin Daye has signed a two-month contract with an as-yet-unnamed team in Russia. Daye can even opt-out prior to the deal's conclusion in December, if the NBA lockout is quickly resolved. This is a clever deal that enables Daye to stay in shape, improve his game and bring home a paycheck -- all with minimal risk. Kudos to him and his agent, Rob Pelinka.

Pistons forward Austin Daye said on Friday that he is considering playing overseas during the lockout. Add Daye to a lengthy list of NBA players eager to earn a paycheck during the lockout. He is under contract through at least 2012-13, however, which would require an 'NBA-out' clause and therefore makes him less appealing to teams abroad. In just 20 minutes per game last season, Daye averaged 7.5 points, 1.0 threes (40% from downtown), 3.8 rebounds, 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks.

Austin Daye admitted that a new coaching regime "might be beneficial for me." Like most of the Pistons, Daye clashed with ex-coach John Kuester last season. He was asked to play power forward at the beginning of the year despite being listed at 205 pounds, then his confidence fell off as the minutes plunged. If free agent Tayshaun Prince walks, Daye would be a favorite to start at small forward under the new coach.