It turns out the deal that sent Thon Maker to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday had more to it. In the deal, Detroit sent 22-year-old forward Stanley Johnson to the Bucks, but Milwaukee turned out to be just a resting spot for Johnson. Today, the deal turned into a three team deal with the New Orleans Pelicans a part of the equation as well.
Johnson was sent to New Orleans, along with Bucks center Jason Smith and four second-round picks for 6’10 sharpshooting big man Nikola Mirotic. The deal couldn’t be finished until today (Thursday) because Smith couldn’t be traded until then by NBA trade rules.
Mirotic will be a free agent at the end of the season, which means this may be his only year in Milwaukee, but it gives the Bucks a player that they can use to make a strong push for a NBA title. [Read more…]