Pistons' Jonas Jerebko '100 percent' recovered from injury

"I'm fine, I'm 100 percent healthy," said the Pistons forward, who partially ruptured his Achilles tendon during the first exhibition last season. "Everywhere I go, that's what people ask me. But I'm fine. I'm just ready for the season to start."

NBA matters, however, are a lot murkier than Jerebko's health.

Still, with the lockout in full swing and both sides far apart in negotiations, Jerebko was holding out hope an agreement would be reached before games were canceled.

But after the first two weeks were canceled, his hopes were dashed.

"We knew this was coming," he said.

He keeps up with the progress through his agent, Doug Neustadt, and teammate Ben Gordon, who attended meetings in New York last week.

And the outcome has a bearing on Jerebko's future.

As a second-round pick in 2009, Jerebko is a restricted free agent, which means the Pistons can match any offer Jerebko receives.

It also means he has no contract for whenever next season starts.

So when NBA players began signing deals overseas — almost en masse — Jerebko could've taken a deal. He had some offers, notably from teams in Russia and China.

But unlike most established players, he had plenty of overseas experience.

"My place is here in the States," said Jerebko, who played in Sweden and Italy before being drafted. "I've been through that phase of my life. If other guys want to do that, that's cool."

"Hopefully the lockout gets settled in the next month or so, but if not, maybe I'll entertain playing elsewhere."