The Detroit Pistons signed Tayshaun Prince to a $47 million, five-year contract extension yesterday, preventing one of their key players from becoming a restricted free agent after this season.

"He's been a valuable member of our team both on and off the floor in each of his first three years," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. "I'm pleased that he will continue to wear a Pistons' uniform through the 2010-11 season."

The 24-year-old Prince has averaged 10.6 points and 4.2 rebounds during his three-year career, helping Detroit advance to at least the conference finals each season and win the 2004 NBA title.

With long arms and excellent instincts, he is known for his defense, but he proved last season he could also produce at the other end of the court. The lanky small forward had career highs in points (14.7), field-goal percentage (48.7) and 3-point percentage (34.1) and was the only Piston to play in all 82 regular-season games. Then, he was a key reason the Pistons were in the NBA Finals for a second straight year.

CLIPPERS

FORMER BYUH GUARD TABUSE WAIVED

Los Angeles waived former Brigham Young-Hawai'i guard Yuta Tabuse, reducing the Clippers' roster to the required 15 players.

Tabuse, from Japan, signed as a free agent Sept. 15 and averaged 3.6 points, 3.0 assists, 1.43 steals and 14.3 minutes in seven preseason games. Tabuse averaged 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 4.3 minutes in four games with the Phoenix Suns during the 2004-05 season.

GRIZZLIES

PRESIDENT WEST GETS TWO-YEAR EXTENSION

Jerry West signed a two-year contract extension yesterday, agreeing to remain through 2008 as president of Memphis.

West was in the last year of a four-year deal with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley.

HAWKS

COLLIER DIED OF HEART PROBLEM, REPORT SAYS

Investigators suspect Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collier died of a heart problem and will announce their findings today.

The 28-year-old player died Oct. 15 after he had trouble breathing in his Georgia home.

The autopsy was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. GBI spokesman John Bankhead says the office performs all Forsyth County autopsies, and Bankhead said this autopsy showed the cause of death to be "heart-related."

ELSEWHERE

Warriors: Forward Mike Dunleavy signed a five-year, $44 million contract extension with Golden State yesterday, hours before a deadline to prevent him from becoming a restricted free agent after the season. Dunleavy, the third overall pick in the 2002 draft, started 79 games for the Warriors last season, averaging a career-best 13.4 points along with 5.5 rebounds.

Wizards: Caron Butler signed a five-year contract extension with Washington yesterday. Butler started 77 games and averaged 15.5 points and 5.8 rebounds last season for the Lakers. Terms were not released.

Trade: Detroit traded forward Ronald Dupree to Minnesota yesterday for a future second-round pick, clearing a roster spot for rookie guard Alex Acker, the 60th and final pick overall.

Cavaliers: Cleveland exercised the fourth-year contract option on Sasha Pavlovic yesterday, a move that will keep the swingman with the club through the 2006-07 season. Pavlovic averaged 4.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in 65 games last season for the Cavaliers.