The slumping Detroit Pistons made a trade over the weekend, but not the one their fans hoped for. Instead of swinging for a star that could change their fortunes in a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, the Pistons opted to do a salary cap-inspired deal with the Washington Wizards.
The trade will see the Pistons sending Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers to the Wizards while acquiring veterans Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala. As part of the deal, Washington will also get two second-round picks.
The motivation for the Pistons here is to shed some salary. Both Gallinari and Muscala are not expected to contribute much but are both on expiring contracts. Bagley, on the other hand, has a guaranteed $12.5 million salary for the next season.
Wizards, on the other hand, get a pair of second-rounders that they could package in other deals. Also, they will get a young role player in Bagley. The second overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft hasn’t lived up to his potential but has been solid in a lesser role. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26 games this season.
This was a trade between two bottom teams in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons are at No. 15 with a 4-36 record, while the Wizards are one spot ahead at 7-32.
