The Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons got deeper Tuesday by acquiring Kevin Huerter from the Chicago Bulls as the centerpiece of a four-player, three-team deal.
The Pistons got Huerter and Dario Saric — who was just acquired over the weekend by Chicago — from the Bulls. Chicago landed Mike Conley Jr. from Minnesota and Jaden Ivey from the Pistons.
Huerter is having one of the most well-rounded seasons of his career and joins a Detroit team
aiming for a deep playoff run in the East. The Pistons don't shoot many 3-pointers — they were 27th in attempts and 28th in attempts per game entering Tuesday — but that could change with Huerter joining a group that features constant deep threat Duncan Robinson, among others.
Ivey spent parts of four seasons with the Pistons. He was dealing with the aftereffects of knee surgery entering the season and was averaging a career-low 8.2 points while getting only 16.8 minutes per game, another career low.
Conley's departure from Minnesota would come with one benefit for the Timberwolves — their tax bill. Facing an estimated $24 million bill entering Tuesday, the Conley move dropped the anticipated total to somewhere around $4 million and got them below the first apron.
That could open the door to other moves for Minnesota, which has been mentioned as one of the teams in pursuit of Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Huerter is averaging nearly 11 points this season and is set to become a free agent this summer.
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