Sam Smith

Ben Wallace agreeing to sign an estimated $60 million, four-year contract with the Chicago Bulls and leave the Detroit Pistons is a classic win/win, lose/lose situation.

Does that cover all the angles?

The short answer is, this will be a heck of a rivalry for the next few years, perhaps matching the Bulls-Pistons battles of the late 1980s. Two years ago, when the Pistons won the title, the teams split the season series with the Bulls winning both in Detroit.

Last season, the Pistons swept the Bulls, with Rasheed Wallace laughing at Bulls players as the Pistons pulled away in an easy win and Bulls coach Scott Skiles, according to Pistons players, challenging them to fight, a charge Skiles denied. But with Ben Wallace on the Bulls side, if it were a fight, you’d take the Bulls.

And in the standings, the Bulls have a heck of a shot of knocking out the Pistons, at least next season, with Wallace and the expected trade of Tyson Chandler for P.J. Brown, while the Pistons try to replace the heart of their defense without an substantial salary cap space or flexibility. But next season isn’t forever, and the Pistons are shedding fewer private tears than you’d imagine.

Why it's good for Bulls
They haven’t won a playoff series in eight years. Bulls fans may be the most forgiving and accepting in sports, filling up the massive United Center even amidst 17- and 15-win seasons. The team has done remarkably well financially, and isn’t concerned about overspending.

In Wallace, they finally have a real pro. The Bulls have led the league in defensive field-goal percentage the last two seasons with an aggressive, manic style promoted by feisty Skiles. But they needed star power. They realized they weren’t about to get Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, so they’ll try to win with defense.

FREE VIDEO 'Money was an issue' July 4: Ben Wallace admits that he couldn't turn down the $14 million more that the Bulls offered him over the Pistons. NBC Sports

So who better to get than the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, even if last season’s award was more on reputation. They get a back-line defense to protect Ben Gordon, who might be replaced by rookie Thabo Sefolosha.

The Bulls also get respect. They were called for more fouls than their opponents in almost 75 percent of their games. The Pistons led in fewest fouls called. Coincidence? Sure, the Bulls guards got caught reaching a lot with little help behind them. That should stop now. And with Sefolosha, rookie Tyrus Thomas and Andres Nocioni coming off the bench, they have an aggressive second unit in perhaps the best trapping and pressing defense in the league.

With Detroit weakened and Miami uncertain coming off a title, the Bulls could get into the Eastern Conference finals.

Slide show   NBA Finals Click to see pictures from the Miami Heat's six-game victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Why it's bad for Bulls
Sixty million reasons. The Bulls essentially are paying for Wallace’s best seasons in Detroit. Wallace is never going to be what he was as he hits 32 in September. Defenders went over him for rebounds for the first time ever during the playoffs.

He forces you to play four-on-five on offense, has a prickly personality and has fought on various levels with every coach he’s played for in Detroit. Skiles is a classic no-nonsense type who’s demanding like Larry Brown. Detroit insiders are waiting for the blowup.

But the biggest issue is declining skills. Will he be worth $15 million a year three or four seasons from now? Not likely. But the Bulls desperately need leadership to go with a hard-working team, one that didn't have players with an edge or leadership ability. Wallace provides that, even if it can make management uneasy at times when it reaches the media.

Wallace is really a two-year bridge for the Bulls for Thomas to adjust to the NBA and take the roll of 6-8 rebounding and shot-blocking monster. Will Wallace be satisfied to come off the bench in 2008-'09 to support him? The Bulls are only concerned with 2006-'07.

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