Pistons take look at acquiring Chase Budinger

With the Pistons without Jodie Meeks for the first six weeks of the season, they've reportedly inquired with Minnesota Timberwolves about swingman Chase Budinger.

A league source confirmed a Yahoo! Sports report about the Pistons having interest in Budinger, a 6-foot-7 forward who appears caught in a numbers game at small forward. Nothing appears to be imminent, but it looks like the Pistons are at least kicking the tires on Budinger before the season begins.

The Pistons actually drafted him in the second round in 2009, in a pre-arranged deal with the Houston Rockets, where he developed into a contributor before knee and ankle injuries have limited him to just 64 games over the past two seasons.

Budinger could be behind Corey Brewer, Robbie Hummel, Shabazz Muhammad and Glenn Robinson III at small forward, with Muhammad and Robinson III as recent draft picks for the Timberwolves.

Budinger, who is a career 36 percent 3-point shooter, is scheduled to make $5 million this season and has a player option next season for the same amount, but the initial report states the Pistons and Rockets are reluctant to take on that deal for next season.

The only player the Pistons have that would fit the salary requirements for trade would be Jonas Jerebko, whose $4.5 million deal will expire at season's end.

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