Written by AJ Neuharth-Keusch at USAToday.com
Quick breakdown of the deals that moved 26 players with 18 different teams at the NBA trade deadline.
Wondering what teams landed a superstar? Curious what players will be suiting up for a new team?
Check out all of the coverage of trade deadline from USA TODAY NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt, with links to individual trade stories.
Tobias Harris to Detroit
Who the Pistons got: Tobias Harris.
Who the Magic got: Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova.
What this means: Detroit landed a young, athletic forward in Tobias Harris to accompany elite rebounding center Andre Drummond in their frontcourt. They sit at 27-27 (ninth place in Eastern Conference) and the move could help propel them toward the postseason. For Orlando, with a playoff appearance just about out of reach (23-29 this season, 4-16 in 2016), the move cleared up some cap space for a potential move this summer.
Courtney Lee to Charlotte
Who the Hornets got: Courtney Lee and cash considerations (from Memphis).
Who the Grizzlies got: P.J. Hairston (from Charlotte), Chris Andersen (from Miami), and four second-round draft picks (2017, 2018, and two in 2019).
Who the Heat got: Brian Roberts (from Charlotte).
What this means: The Hornets (27-26, eighth place in East) grabbed a three-and-d guy in Courtney Lee in hopes of a playoff push. By sending Lee away, the Grizzlies lost a starter and a player that can help spread the floor, and, in terms of player firepower, they didn’t get much in return (P.J. Hairston: 6.0 points, 35.9% shooting and Chris Andersen: 1.9 points in seven games played). Miami landed a veteran backup point guard in Brian Roberts, while dumping Andersen’s $5 million salary.
Donatas Motiejunas to Detroit
Who the Pistons got: Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton.
Who the Rockets got: Joel Anthony and a first-round pick in the 2016 draft.
What this means: While it’s unlikely that Motiejunas will make an immediate impact for Detroit (dealing with lingering post-surgery back issues), the 25-year-old forward is an upgrade from Joel Anthony, who has only scored nine points total for the Pistons this year. Marcus Thornton, Detroit’s other piece acquired in the deal, is on a veteran’s minimum contract, and will give the Pistons an extra scoring option off the bench.
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