The Pistons will not buyout either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince, according to sources.

The Cavaliers were interested in trading for Hamilton before the deadline and those talks could be revisited at the NBA Draft.

Joe Dumars released the following statement in response to a possible mutiny against head coach John Kuester.

“First of all, John Kuester has my full support as we try to make a push towards the postseason over these last 21 games. We’ve had a long and proud history of being a first class organization that handles its business the right way. We expect everyone that represents the Detroit Pistons to do so in a first class manner and that will continue as we move forward.”

Pistons coach John Kuester insists he's ready to move forward as he downplayed possible mutiny among his players.

Detroit had just six players on Friday night against Philadelphia after a number of veterans missed the team's shootaround, in what some outlets reported was a calculated decision to show their displeasure with Kuester.

"It was an internal thing. We're moving on. We're ready to go," Kuester said. "You can tell how calm I am outside. My insides are probably turning a little bit."

Kuester said he wasn't concerned about his job status and that coaches around the league have been supportive.

"One of the things you have to do is feel comfortable about the way you're handling things, and I feel comfortable," he said.

The Pistons have fined Richard Hamilton and Chris Wilcox for missing Friday's morning shootaround without an excuse.

Tracy McGrady, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace had their absence excused. Austin Daye and Rodney Stuckey missed the team bus and arrived late.

John Kuester will remain head coach and the Pistons are not currently considering a coaching change.

On Friday, the Pistons had several players miss a morning shootaround, but the idea that it was a team boycott is "overblown" and that it was actually a "perfect storm", according to sources.

Tayshaun Prince and Tracy McGrady were both sick, while Ben Wallace has a brother who is gravely ill and has been emotionally devastated for several days. Chris Wilcox overslept, while Austin Daye and Rodney Stuckey insist they missed the team bus because they were not notified of the departure time.

Hamilton is the only player who missed the shootaround without explanation, according to one source.

"The team boycott idea is being overblown," said the source. "It was more miscommunication than defiance."

The Cavaliers and Pistons worked out a trade to send Richard Hamilton and a lottery-protected pick in 2012 to Cleveland for a $12.6 million trade exception and second round pick.

Cleveland was most interested in the pick, but would have let Hamilton play for them. The Cavaliers have several other veterans playing heavy minutes, such as Antawn Jamison and Anthony Parker, despite their rebuilding efforts.

Hamilton was not interested in playing for a last place team and sought a buyout. Hamilton likely would have signed with the Bulls after clearing waivers, sources say.

Cleveland wanted him to take $18 million in the buyout, arguing that he could secure his 2011-12 salary now when it’s possible that money wouldn’t be paid him during a lockout next season. Hamilton rejected the offer and Friday's protest against John Kuester was a consequence of the stalemate.

Richard Hamilton berated Detroit head coach John Kuester in an expletive-filled rant on the practice court approximately one week before his banishment, according to sources.

Hamilton yelled at Kuester for his perceived failure during his two seasons with the Pistons and for being nothing more than a career assistant coach.

Hamilton was yelling at Kuester within inches of him, but failed to respond.

Several of Detroit's younger players privately told agents they wished they had the courage to confront Hamilton for his actions, but the veteran presences of Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace give Hamilton a great deal of support in the locker room.

Tom Gores continued to negotiate a possible purchase of the Pistons on Friday as the latest exclusive arrangement for talks with owner Karen Davidson expired.

There was no announcement of an agreement to extend the exclusive negotiations, but sources claim another extension is a possibility.

Davidson, the widow of previous owner Bill Davidson, said 13 months ago she would sell the franchise, but the process is problematic because of the soft economy in Michigan and nationally.

"The fact that they are still talking is about the best news to have, right now," said an observer. "This is a really tough nut to crack.

"But to me it means both sides realize they are within striking distance of an agreement. And, frankly, I do not read anything at all into the fact that they did not complete it this week."

Several hours after more than one third of his team failed to show up for a morning shootaround as a 'player protest', John Kuester was ejected from Detroit's 110-94 loss at Philadelphia.

Tracy McGrady, Rodney Stuckey and Ben Wallace were televised laughing as Kuester walked off the court following his ejection.

Those three players, along with Austin Daye and Chris Wilcox also missed practice and were in uniform, but did not play. The Pistons played just six players.

Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince were not in uniform.

The Detroit News reported that five players skipped the Pistons' shootaround on Friday morning.

Both the News and the Detroit Free-Press reported the incident as an organized attempt by the team's veteran to voice their displeasure with coach John Kuester.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com writes that the Pistons may have a new coach as early as next week.

They have roughly 20 games left and are still within striking distance of the 8th seed in the East.