Trading for Tobias Harris firmed up a weak spot in the starting lineup and added a scorer for the Detroit Pistons. Continuing their push for the playoffs, the Pistons added to a weak bench in trading for Donatas Motiejunas.

Motiejunas essentially takes the place of Ersan Ilyasova as a power forward with range. He's not as good as Ilyasova, but a decent replacement, especially considering he’ll come off the bench. The question is if he’ll be healthy enough to play after battling a back injury all season. Motiejunas is also a restricted free agent this summer, so Detroit will be able to match any offers he gets, assuming he works out and fits their future plans.

Marcus Thornton is a nice add for a team lacking current depth at the shooting guard spot. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jodie Meeks are both injured, and Stanley Johnson is more of a SF than a SG at this point. Thornton will be given the green light off the bench. If he’s on, he can turn a game. If he’s off, Stan Van Gundy will sit him. A free agent at the end of the year, he’s almost no risk. 

Trading away Joel Anthony has no impact, as he wasn’t playing for Detroit. Giving up a reported top-8 protected 2016 First Round Pick (with escalating protections, which is an interesting wrinkle), that seems almost guaranteed to convey, is a bit of a steep price. But when you consider they paid what many deemed a light price for Tobias Harris, it all balances out. 

Grade for Detroit: B+

The Rockets are selling off a couple of bench pieces they don’t need to acquire an asset in terms of a First Round pick. Motiejunas seemed unlikely to make much of an impact for Houston the remainder of this year. Terrence Jones, Josh Smith, and Montrezl Harrell were all in front of him for PF minutes. Corey Brewer is even giving the Rockets some minutes at the 4 spot at this point. 

Thornton was giving Houston some excellent bench production, but as the season and Playoffs near, the rotation will tighten and Thornton would likely be squeezed out. He was unlikely to have a major impact the rest of the year, as there aren’t many minutes behind James Harden available. 

Getting an asset for players they didn’t really need is a Daryl Morey special. Another first round pick, that seems highly likely to convey this year, is something Houston can use in future deals as they re-tool around James Harden. Anthony will have no impact for Houston and seems a likely buyout candidate.

Grade for Rockets: B+