The Detroit Pistons have coveted Glen Davis for years, according to an A. Sherrod Blakely report, and will likely be one of his most passionate free agent suitors. (CSNNE)

One of Boston’s biggest challengers for Davis will be Detroit, a team that has coveted Davis for a number of years.

And the Pistons may be willing to offer Davis the full mid-level exception which is worth $5 million in the yet-to-be-ratified new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Celtics have Davis’ Bird Rights which would allow them to exceed the salary cap to re-sign him.

Meanwhile, Danny Ainge called Davis almost as soon as NBA rules allowed him to. (Boston Herald)

“It’s my understanding that Danny called Glen early this morning and expressed his desire to have Glen back,” said John Hamilton, Davis’ representative.

Hamilton wouldn’t say much beyond that, but the sides have been talking for several days about what it will take to retain Big Baby.

I’m convinced the Celtics don’t want to sign Davis to a long-term extension (or maybe that’s just me hoping they maintain cap flexibility in the coming years). But if the market for Davis is $5 million per season, that might change things.

Davis — for all his flaws, and there are several — is a versatile big man who can play both power forward and center. In a league where Brendan Haywood makes $9 million a year and DeAndre Jordan could very well surpass that total this season, it’s a good deal to pay $5 million per year for a reasonably skilled offensive player who recently learned how to impact a game on both ends. I still (desperately) want the Celtics to prioritize the future ahead of the now (sorry Ray, Paul and Kevin), but $5 million per year — if indeed that’s Davis’ price tag — is undeniably enticing.