The Detroit Pistons completed a three team trade which they received Marcus Thornton and Donatas Motiejunas from the Houston Rockets for a first round pick and they also sent Joel Anthony to the Philadelphia 76ers in the trade. Reports that came out that the deal could be in danger if Motiejunas couldn’t pass a physical due to his back issues. The Pistons announced today they rescinded the trade:
OFFICIAL: The #Pistons have rescinded a trade that acquired forward/center Donatas Motiejunas and guard Marcus Thornton from Houston.
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 22, 2016
“Standard with all trades, medical clearance on all players involved is required for completion." – Pistons GM Jeff Bower.
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 22, 2016
Jeff Bower: "Medical clearance was not given on all players and the trade is being rescinded"
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) February 22, 2016
This comes out as Motiejunas told Jonathan Feigen writer for the Houston Chronicle that he was 100 percent to go and was ready to help the Pistons make the playoffs:
Motiejunas (D-Motown?) after trade on Thur: "I'm fully healthy, 100 percent, and think I will give a boost to Detroit to make the playoffs."
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) February 21, 2016
Motiejunas has been struggling to get minutes with the Rockets, as he been battling recovering from a herniated disk in his back, he underwent surgery in April but still hasn’t been able to get a consistent role with the Rockets. This deal falling apart is bad for both teams as the Pistons loaded up on veteran presence to make a strong playoff run. At least they still received Tobias Harris, as he makes his first start tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers:
#Pistons Tobias Harris will start tonight vs. #Cavs.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) February 22, 2016
The Rockets on the other hand gets back an injured Motiejunas and loses out on a first round pick.
