Detroit Pistons announce 2-way deals with former OU star Felder, Hearn

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Avery Bradley explains why the Hornets were difficult to guard in the Pistons' 118-107 loss on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena. Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press

Two new faces were the watching the Detroit Pistons on Monday.

Their newest two-way contract players – point guard Kay Felder and shooting guard Reggie Hearn – took in the 118-107 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

They made it official following the game.

Terms of the agreements were not disclosed, but Felder’s deal is only for the rest of this season, a person with firsthand knowledge of the situation told the Free Press on Saturday when the news broke the Pistons were signing the former Oakland University star.

According to ESPN.com front office analyst Bobby Marks' Twitter account, Felder and Hearn will have 22 days of service left, which prorated from the allowed 45 days for two-way contract players signed before the season.

To make room for Hearn, the team waived two-way contract swingman Luis Montero.

Felder, 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds, played 14 games with the Chicago Bulls this season and averaged 3.9 points, 1.4 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game.

In 56 career NBA games with the Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, Felder has averaged 3.9 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists. 

More: Home-dominant schedule won't help Pistons' defensive malaise

A former star at Detroit Pershing, Felder played at Oakland University for three seasons and averaged 17.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 101 games. 

He left after a stellar junior season where he averaged 24.4 points and an NCAA-leading 9.3 assists per game.

Hearn, 6-5 and 210 pounds, has played in 14 games (10 starts) with the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Gatorade League this season and averaged 14.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. 

Both players are expected to report to the Pistons’ G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive.

Leuer update

Pistons power forward Jon Leuer is trying to stave off season-ending ankle surgery, but it’s looking as if those efforts will be for naught.

“I think Jon’s trying to do everything possible to not have surgery,” Van Gundy said before Monday's game. “He’s trying to exhaust every opportunity possible.

“It’s not great right now, but Jon’s not at the point of being ready, at least right now, to call it a season and go to the surgery."

Leuer said recently that the issue is bone fragments in his left ankle.

When Leuer suffered the injury on Halloween night, the expectation was he’d be out a short period of time.

Good health

Hornets coach Steve Clifford missed his final game Monday after leaving the team to deal with a health issue.

He will be back on the sidelines when the Hornets visit the Washington Wizards.

He will have missed more than a month since he left because of recurring headaches.

A recent ESPN.com profile outlined his struggles to live a healthier lifestyle. He had a heart issue in 2013.

Van Gundy, a close friend of Clifford’s, can relate.

“Physically, luckily for me, I’ve never really had any problems,” said Van Gundy, 58.

“It’s more my mental health that we need to be concerned with. That’s only half-jokingly.”

Van Gundy said he has been in a contact with Clifford via text.

“It does give you pause,” Van Gundy said. “It’s scary, we’re all thinking about him. Happy that he’s coming back this week, but hoping that doesn’t create more problems.”

Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56. Download our Pistons Xtra app on iTunes or Android!