The NBA’s trade deadline is fast approaching, and many teams are looking to make some significant moves to improve themselves for a run at the playoffs. The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons are two teams jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference, and both had players rumored to be moved in Tobias Harris and Brandon Jennings respectively.
Harris recently signed a max contract to stay with the Magic while Jennings recently returned after tearing his Achilles.
The two teams were able to help each other out as they agreed to a deal sending Harris to Detroit for Jennings and power forward Ersan Ilyasova according to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops:
Sources: Detroit Pistons have discussed a deal to acquire Tobias Harris from the Orlando Magic for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 16, 2016
The deal makes sense on both ends as the Magic had a number of young guys, but none of them are stars. By moving Harris, they free up some room for some of their other young players and add two veteran players in Jennings and Ilyasova to balance out their youth. Ilyasova adds shooting, and Jennings is a veteran option behind young point guard Elfrid Payton. The move also clears out some cap room as Jennings is a free agent and Ilyasova’s contract is non-guaranteed next season.
The Pistons add another young scorer to their team who can create his own shot. Harris is also an extremely versatile player who fits in with a team full of them in Marcus Morris, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Stanley Johnson. On paper, the deal seems like a win-win on both sides.
