With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, teams have been busy trying to find a way to shake things up to better their rosters for the remainder of this season and beyond.
Looking to make a move in the standings in the East, the Detroit Pistons traded Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova on Tuesday to acquire Tobias Harris from the Orlando Magic, as first reported by our own Michael Scotto.
The Pistons were unable to find sufficient playing time for Jennings off the bench and needed an upgrade at the forward position. In that sense, the trade to acquire Harris, who is just 23 and locked into a favorable four-year contract, couldn’t have made more sense for the team. Whether he fits into the grand scheme of things remains to be seen and it’s unclear where the trade leaves Stanley Johnson in the long run, but something had to be done with Detroit 1/2 game behind the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth spot in the East.
Orlando is 3 1/2 games behind the Hornets and have lost a good chunk of close games they should have won due to inexperienced play at the point guard position. Jennings had previous success playing for Scott Skiles when the two were with the Milwaukee Buck, so the transition could be relatively seamless if he were to take over as the starting point guard from the jump. The same could be said for Ilyasova, who also had some of his best years playing under Skiles in Milwaukee.
Jennings and Harris, the two primary players involved in the deal, reacted with class after learning of the deal:
God closes one door to open up another, though this is not the easiest time it’s part of life… https://t.co/HaRX3GgsYs
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) February 16, 2016
Thank You Detroit for everything. I had a great 3yrs. Some amazing Moments we had. Love!
— Brandon Jennings (@thinkiminthe90s) February 16, 2016
Reggie Jackson and others also had thoughts on the trade:
Detroit, give a warm welcome from the cold D to @tobias31. Welcome to the squad bro #Pistons #Detroitveverybody
— Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) February 16, 2016
Wish @thinkiminthe90s and Ersan Ilyasova the best in Orlando. Teammates only a short time but y’all was real #funtimes #toomanylaughs
— Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) February 16, 2016
Good pickup for Detroit.
— Wilson Chandler (@wilsonchandler) February 16, 2016
Want to wish the best to my bro @tobias31 in Detroit! Great teammate and great friend!
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) February 16, 2016
Liked the move by Detroit to snare Tobias Harris for 2 expirings. He’s a gamer. Weird move by Orlando unless a 2nd one is coming.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 16, 2016
????
— Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummondd) February 16, 2016
Jim Park is a blogger and Tweet of the Night author of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.