NBA Trade Rumors 2016: Tobias Harris Goes to Detroit for Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova

The Detroit Pistons validated their intention of putting up a team that can make a serious push in the playoffs this season after a successful trade with the Orlando Magic, sending backup point guard Brandon Jennings and forward Ersan Ilyasova in exchange for young star Tobias Harris.

Head coach Stan Van Gundy had to pull this one in order to finally get the right bunch of guys to surround center Andre Drummond. While the addition of Harris does not make them title contenders, the thought of getting someone that many believe will ideally fit with the team's system is more than enough reason to let a talented Jennings and a starter in Ilyasova.

As for Orlando, this transaction is basically seen as a move to free up some money, with the hope of landing big-time free agents this summer. Jennings will become a free agent himself and definitely will look for greener pastures at the end of the season, while Ilyasova will only be owed $400,000 of his original contract.

Get Our Latest News for FREE

Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know.

Subscribe

Head coach Scott Skiles will be closely monitoring the progress of young point guard Elfrid Payton and see if he can be the team's future starting point guard. With Jennings on board, Skiles has an able backup plan in Jennings in case Payton does not mature in time.

Detroit now has a legitimate starting cast that can play great defense against any team in the league. Reggie Jackson owns the starting point guard spot, while the defensive ace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Harris, and Stanley Jackson will be manning the three positions in the wing, with Drummond in the paint.

It is true that Harris' numbers are down from last season's breakout performance, but that's attributed to the lack of fit with the Magic. He's a type of player who does not want the ball to be in his hands all the time, but he's more than capable of scoring the rock. With Drummond and Jackson as the primary scoring options, there's a good chance Harris will thrive in a supporting role.