Pistons Trade for 7-Footer

The Houston Rockets wanted a protected first round draft pick.  The Pistons wanted a really tall guy.  ESPN reports that both may have gotten what they wanted today, before the 3pm trade deadline.

Detroit gets 25 year old 7-foot power forward Donatas Motiejunas and small forward Marcus Thornton. ESPN's Tom Haberstroh reports that Houston gets the top-eight-protected pick and center Joel Anthony.

Motiejunas averaged a career-high 12.0 points last season, but hasn’t played much since a back injury sidelined him late in 2015.

"A little surprised," Motiejunas told ESPN after the trade. "But it's part of the business. So when the deadline comes, you're kind of afraid of that. It's just natural feelings."

Thornton, 28, should give the Pistons some offensive help.  Anthony, a 33-year-old backup center, has barely played for the Pistons this season.