NBA Trade Rumors: Pistons Rescind Motiejunas Trade After Center Fails to Get Medical Clearance
It was earlier announced that the Detroit Pistons successfully agreed and traded for Houston Rockets center/power forward Donatas Motiejunas and wingman Marcus Thornton while in turn sending center Joel Anthony to a third participant, the Philadelphia 76ers, along with top 8 future first round pick.
However, due to medical examiners and Pistons team doctors refusing to sign his medical clearance as attributed to his recurring back injury, it looks like the deal is now off the table and will be voided the soonest possible time.
By league rules, trades will have to be completed 72 hours right after they are announced and agreed upon. But in the case of the Pistons, they asked league officials to give them an extension of a day or two to get the clearance. However, without that clearance until now, Detroit didn't have a choice but to rescind the trade with Houston and Philadelphia.
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As a result, both Motiejunas and Thornton will have to report back to the Rockets this season, while Anthony will need to go back to the Pistons. Detroit likewise retains the top 8 protected first round draft pick that was originally part of the package.
The Lithuanian Motiejunas has a lot of promise and potential in him when he was drafted 20th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2011 NBA Draft. He signed with the Rockets for his first stint in the league and proved to be a key contributor off the bench. However, the back pain and tightness started to bother him early last year after a fine season in 2014. After that, he only was able to play in 18 games so far, splitting time with the Rockets and the D-League.
A rescinded trade, especially like this one involving three teams, is so complex that every participant is expected to be frustrated. Right now, it's just a matter of time how every player involved will end up after the season. The sad thing is they'll have to wait a few more months to have a clearer picture as to where they're heading.
