The Milwaukee Bucks have traded power forward Ersan Ilyasova to the Detroit Pistons for small forwards Caron Butler and Shawne Williams, reports Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
Ersan Ilyasova traded to Pistons for Caron Butler, Shawne Williams
Ilyasova is going to Detroit in a cost-cutting move for Milwaukee.
The 28-year-old Turkish stretch four had been with the Bucks his entire NBA career, spanning seven seasons, but with the youth movement in place he made little sense on the current roster. Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the starting forwards of the future, so Ilyasova was no longer necessary. The Bucks are expected to waive both Butler and Williams since their contracts are not guaranteed for next season, which means the trade saves them around $8 million.
For the Pistons, Ilyasova could help balance out the big man rotation by providing much-needed spacing for the Greg Monroe - Andre Drummond duo. He could also start next to Drummond if Monroe moves on in free agency. Coach Stan Van Gundy has always liked surrounding a dominant center with four shooters and he will get the chance to do just that with Ilyasova, who connected on 39 percent of his three-point attempts last season. Losing Butler's non-guaranteed contract is a small price to pay for an upgrade at a position of need.
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