The Detroit Pistons have made yet another trade as the deadline nears.
Just a few hours after sending away Reggie Bullock to the Lakers, a source has confirmed to the Free Press the Pistons have dealt forward Stanley Johnson to the Milwaukee Bucks for center Thon Maker.
The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been officially announced.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski was first to report the deal.
Johnson, 22, the Pistons' first-round draft pick (eighth overall) in 2015, has battled with consistency through his career. This season's numbers mirror his career stats: 7.5 points per game, 38 percent shooting and 28 percent 3-point shooting. He's better known for his defense.
Maker, who turns 22 later this month, is 7-foot-1 and 221 pounds. He had fallen out of the rotation for the Bucks, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. In his three seasons, he averages 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks while shooting 43 percent from the field and 33 percent from the 3-point line.
He makes $2,799,720 this season; $3,569,643 next season.
Maker will likely gain a rotation spot _ possibly at the expense of veteran big man Zaza Pachulia.
Two weeks ago, Wojnarowski reported that Maker wanted to be traded out of Milwaukee.
The Pistons add a talented prospect with one year left on his rookie deal for a player who was unlikely to receive a $5.3 million qualifying offer in June.
After Tuesday night's win in New York, the Pistons traded Bullock to the Lakers for a second-round pick and rookie Svi Mykhailiuk.
The Pistons announced the Bullock trade on Wednesday afternoon.
Two sources told the Free Press that they would like to make more moves before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline, any such move would be around the margins.
"We don't expect to move any of the core (of big contracts)," a source said.
Ish Smith, Pachulia, Jose Calderon, Henry Ellenson and likely Glenn Robinson III are playing under expiring contracts, meaning they will be free agents this offseason.
