The Trade that Brought the Sixers Joel Anthony and a 2nd Round Pick May Fall Apart
On Thursday, the Sixers were the third-team that helped facilitate a trade between the Pistons and the Rockets. The Sixers got Joel Anthony and a second-round pick, the Pistons got Donatas Motiejūnas and Marcus Thornton, and the Rockets got a protected first-round pick. But that might all be null and void now.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the Pistons have asked for a 24-hour extension on the already 72-hour period teams are allowed to complete a trade.
The Pistons are worried about Motiejūnas’ recurring back issues. They have not heard back from the league yet on the extension, but according to the DFP, “if the extension is denied the trade would be voided and Motiejunas and Thornton would return to Houston and Anthony would head back to Detroit (through Philly).” Or, the deal could be modified:
Detroit can certainly modify the terms of the trade including pick protection if there is any uncertainty on DM back.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 21, 2016
And that leaves the waived JaKarr Sampson, who many believe will be brought back once (if) the trade is finalized for a waived Anthony, out in no man’s land for the time being.
UPDATE: 24-hours granted.
#NBA source: Deadline for finalized #Sixers 3-team trade involving 2017 Nuggets pick & Joel Anthony pushed back to Monday at 6.
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) February 21, 2016