The Detroit Pistons started their offseason roster moves with a trade deal acquiring forward Ersan Ilyasova from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for veteran forwards Caron Butler and Shawne Williams.
Ilyasova played all his seven NBA seasons with the Bucks as they selected him 36<sup>th overall in the 2005 NBA Draft.
This season he only played in 56 games but was averaging 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist per outing as he helped the Bucks reach the playoffs.
Despite being only 28 years old, Ilyasova is older compared to forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker who are both 20 years old.
Milwaukee will look to use the young duo at the No. 3 and 4 spot as they move forward and that would likely leave Ilyasova unused if he stayed with the Bucks.
The trade also gave the Bucks a bigger cap space since Ilyasova is due $7.9 million this season and the next one and $8.4 million for the 2016-2017 season, ESPN reported.
According to SB Nation, the Bucks plan to waive Butler and Williams since their contracts are unguaranteed for next season and that will save them $8 million.
The arrival of Ilyasova is huge for Detroit as he can help space the floor for big men Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe and is also a deadly hitter from the three-point territory.
"Ersan Ilyasova is a player we have coveted since we got to Detroit. Not only is he a proficient 3-point shooter that can stretch the floor, he is a high-energy, hard-playing guy who fits extremely well with how we want to play. We are excited about what he can add to our team," Pistons coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy stated.
The Pistons had a magical run during the regular season but was derailed when starting point guard Brandon Jennings got injured as they finished with a 32-50 record.
