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Alright, let’s start at the beginning:
Memphis has traded James Ennis to Detroit for Brice Johnson and a second-round pick, league sources tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Couple things:
- Wing depth has been a consistent weakness of the Pistons, and things done to address that weakness are on the whole, pretty good.
- Pistons are playoffs-or-bust right - it’s highly unlikely the Pistons can retain Ennis, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. Even if Ennis comes cheap, the Pistons have VERY little money to bring him back.
- This makes the Blake Griffin trade the following: Blake Griffin, James Ennis, Jameer Nelson, and a 2022 second-round pick swap for Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a 2018 1st-round pick, a 2019 second-round pick, and a 2022 second-round pick.
- That’s... a really good trade.
- Ennis is the quintessential glue guy - he’s averaging seven points, three and a half rebounds, and an assist on 48/35/88 in 23 minutes a night for the Grizzlies. He just fits in.
- That said, the following is still true:
Stan handing out second round picks like candy tho
— Lazarus Jackson (@lazchance) February 8, 2018
It remains to be seen if this is good or bad, but if the Pistons end up stuck in the next 2-3 years, those second-rounders could come back to bite them.
Tweets from around the league:
Good shit by Detroit today. I mean really good. Ennis is awesome
— Tony East (@TEastNBA) February 8, 2018
This is gonna get lost in the shuffle, but this is a fantastic cheap pickup for Detroit. https://t.co/S2VAnV57YD
— Jeremy Woo (@JeremyWoo) February 8, 2018
Second round pick Grizzlies are getting in the Ennis deal is a 2022 pick. Ennis moving into injury exception Pistons got for Jon Leuer.
— Chris Herrington (@HerringtonNBA) February 8, 2018
The Pistons have now made two more moves than I thought they would five hours ago, so stay with us here at Detroit Bad Boys for more analysis of this move and any moves to come.