What started off as an absurd sounding rumor turned out to have some legs - some really fast moving ones.
Just a few minutes after Marc Stein of ESPN tweeted that the Pistons offered Joel Anthony to Houston for Donatas Motiejunas, the deal became official. Just with a few extra pieces.
As of now, the current exchange is that the Pistons will receive Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton while sending back Joel Anthony and their 2016 first round pick with protections.
My initial reaction to the rumor was that Jeff Bower started his day by successfully offering 14 slightly used Post-It notes to a Starbucks barista in exchange for a grande peppermint mocha and was feeling all cocky. Turns out he should be.
However, Motiejunas has been out with an injured for much of the season and is a restricted free agent at the end of the year. He has recently finished up a rehab stint in the D-League, but had yet to get back on the court for Houston.
At his best Donuts Montezuma, as he was typically known by DBBers leading up to the 2011 NBA Draft, is a versatile player that can split time between power forward and center while also knocking down the three point shot. He had a breakout season last year with the Rockets, averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 three-pointers per game.
Thornton is a journeyman shooting guard who gives the Pistons some extra help as a scorer from the wing. Think of him as Jodie Meeks insurance. He is currently playing on a minimum contract that ends at the end of the year. He started off the season red hot for Houston, but has fizzled as the season has gone on.
Thornton has spent some time at point guard, but is definitely more of a shooting guard. Don't look at this move as a thorough resolution to the issue of backup point guard.
Joel Anthony has taken a whopping 5 shots this season, so obviously the prize for Houston is the first round pick from the Pistons. Houston looks to be starting to blow things up as they're currently on the outside looking in for the Western Conference Playoffs.
Detroit had indicated they were willing to part with their draft pick, but it is surprising that the pick left town to acquire Thornton and Donatas rather than Tobias Harris.