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NBA Trade Deadline: Biggest Winners from a Quiet Day

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Clippers won 98-92 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) shoots the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) shoots the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons could walk away as the biggest winners of the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline. That isn’t necessarily saying that everything Detroit did will work out, but instead acknowledging the potential brilliance of the move made by Stan Van Gundy.

Having already traded for Tobias Harris on Tuesday, February 16, Van Gundy added another versatile big man to the mix: Donatas Motiejunas.

Motiejunas is unlikely to move into a starting role, but he has the skill set and upside to be the latest big man to thrive in Van Gundy’s system.

Motiejunas emerged as one of the better young power forwards in the NBA during the 2014-15 regular season. With Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones sidelined for more than 40 games each, the Lithuanian big man stepped up to provide Houston with a much-needed punch down low.

2014-15 averages of 12.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 offensive boards, and 1.8 assists in 28.7 minutes on a slash line of .504/.368/.602 fairly reflect Motiejunas’ well-rounded game.

Injuries have limited Motiejunas in 2015-16, but he’s progressing well and joining a team with a world-class medical staff. In Detroit, Motiejunas can thrive with his vast array of post moves and a 3-point shot that cannot be underestimated.

Motiejunas isn’t a star-caliber addition to the roster, but he helped Houston make the playoffs last year, and he can do the same for Detroit in 2015-16.

Next: The Final Weakness