Agent: Pistons' Joe Dumars expressed interest in re-signing Tayshaun Prince

Bill Duffy, the agent for Pistons free-agent forward Tayshaun Prince, said he was contacted by Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars before the July 1 lockout to say he was interested in re-signing the veteran.

When and if there is a season this year, Duffy said the league most likely would have to restructure its free-agent signing period so players like Prince could either find a new home or return to the teams they played for last year.

"Once the new structure is set in place, are the teams that are interested in him now still going to be interested? Yes," Duffy said. "Will Detroit probably want to re-sign him? Yes. One thing that the league is proposing is some type of phase-in. You won't see the immediate impact where it would be rigid. If the league were victorious, which we're obviously against, I think it will be a condensed free-agent period and guys like Tayshaun will still be high on people's list.

"I would expect teams to call the first day. Usually, you would see a two- or three-week period of free-agency. Even if the lockout lasts until November or December, you still have to have free agency. You have to allow time for guys to sign with other teams, or allow time to go through that process."

Duffy said Prince will test the market, but wouldn't mind returning to Detroit, where he helped the team to a championship in 2004.