The buzz was the Pistons would part with Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and/or a first round pick for Bryant, arguably the best player in the NBA.

“Yeah, I heard that, too,” Chauncey Billups said before the Pistons beat the Wizards, 104-85, at The Palace Wednesday night.

Then again Billups, who signed a five-year contract this summer, heard about many sign-and-trade deals. One had Mr. Big Shot himself going to Houston.

But Billups is still here and Bryant is on the West Coast.

• No Kobe is OK by Pistons