MILWAUKEE — The Detroit Pistons have acquired veteran Ersan Ilyasova from the Milwaukee Bucks, adding a long-range shooter to their frontcourt.
Detroit sent forwards Caron Butler and Shawne Williams to Milwaukee in the trade announced Thursday.
Butler returns to the Bucks for a second time in his career, after having been traded to Milwaukee from Phoenix before the 2013-14 season. But Butler and Williams might be most valuable to Milwaukee now for their expiring contracts.
Ilyasova is under contract through the 2016-17 season. He was the longest-tenured player on the Bucks with seven seasons in Milwaukee.
Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said the 6-foot-10 Ilyasova is a player that Detroit has coveted. He averaged 10.7 points and 6 rebounds in 453 games, all with the Bucks. He is a career 37 per cent shooter from 3-point range.
"Not only is (Ilyasova) 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," Van Gundy said.
The Bucks get even younger after trading away the 28-year-old Ilyasova. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, both 20, are expected to be frontcourt mainstays for years to come.
Milwaukee might also look to add a rebounding forward with the 17th overall selection in the NBA draft later this month. UCLA one-and-done forward Kevon Looney might be available when the Bucks pick; he was among a handful of prospects who worked out for the team on Thursday.
The Bucks are also hoping to bring back restricted free agent and starting shooting guard Khris Middleton, while key reserve forward Jared Dudley has a player option for 2015-16.
