Pistons and Wizards Swing 4-Player Trade

You could say that Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers have been granted a new lease on life, moving on from the woeful 3-36 Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately for them, their rise in the standings isn’t much to write home about as they’ve been dealt to the 7-31 Washington Wizards. In exchange, veterans Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala are heading to the Motor City.

The Pistons and Wizards are finalizing a deal to trade Marvin Bagley, Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks for forwards Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 14, 2024

The Wizards also received two second-round picks from the Pistons, in 2025 and 2026. 

Both of these teams have some major reconstruction ahead of them, and according to sources, this is just the first step for both organizations moving forward as we approach the trade deadline on Feb 8th.

For Detroit, the deal clears plenty of cap space, as both Gallinari and Muscala are on expiring contracts. It’s also possible that they could be used as trade filler in other deals, as the Pistons continue to look to shake up their roster. In fact, they have been mentioned as interested suitors for two huge trade targets at this year’s deadline, Pascal Siakam and Dejounte Murray. 

Marvin Bagley and Isaiah Livers saying goodbye to their teammates after being traded to the Wizards 🙌

(via @MikeACurtis2)pic.twitter.com/EpyTZ0mM1A

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 14, 2024

Bagley, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, was in the middle of a three-year, $37.5 million contract, and still had $12.5 million owed, for this year and next season before reaching free agency in 2025. Livers is due to become a restricted free agent at season's end.

Bagley, 24,  is averaging 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26 games this year with the Pistons in just 18 minutes per game. He had recently been pinned to the bench for five straight games. Bagley holds career marks of 12.9 points and 6.9 boards. Livers was averaging 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds over the course of his first two seasons in the NBA in 20 minutes a night.

Gallinari, the 13-year veteran, missed all of last season with a torn ACL, and this year with the Wizards was playing 15 minutes per night, averaging just seven points and 2.9 boards. His vaunted three-point shooting has been way off this season as well at just 31.3%, though he holds a career mark of 38.1%.

Muscala, a 10-year veteran big man, was averaging four points and 3.1 rebounds in 14 minutes. Like Gallinari, he’s also been a nice floor spacer during his career, with a 37.5% mark from long range.

Photo:  Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports