The early frontrunner for big winner at the NBA’s trade deadline this season has to be Detroit Pistons head coach and general manager, Stan Van Gundy.
The Pistons made a huge splash in acquiring Tobias Harris from the Orlando Magic, but they weren’t done as they had their eyes on other players who could help them make a playoff run in the Eastern Conference.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Pistons acquired Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton from the Houston Rockets:
Houston has traded Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton to the Detroit Pistons, league sources tell @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 18, 2016
In deal, Detroit will send Joel Anthony and a protected 2016 first-round pick to the Rockets, league sources tell @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 18, 2016
Though Anthony isn’t a big piece, the first round pick the Pistons gave up could be huge as it is only protected through the top eight picks. If Detroit fails to rise into the playoff picture, the Rockets could wind up with a lottery selection.
Motiejunas is an excellent addition for the Pistons if he can get healthy. He has dealt with a back injury all season, limiting him to only 14 games. Last season, he averaged 12.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 71 contests, so there is no doubt about his talent. Thornton is also a seven-year veteran who is known for his explosive scoring ability.
It is also worth noting that Motiejunas is a restricted free agent after this season and most reports were that Houston did not plan on paying him this off-season, so getting a first-round pick is a great consolation.
