Pistons' Trade Falls Apart Due To Motiejunas' Health

By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby

As of this weekend, the Pistons had an extension from the NBA office to finalize their trade from last week, which would have sent center Joel Anthony and a protected first-round pick to Houston, in exchange for forwards Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton. Houston later made a deal with Philadelphia, sending Anthony and a second-round pick to the 76ers.

The extension went until 6 p.m. Monday, but the Pistons announced Monday the trade had been officially voided.

"Standard with all trades, medical clearance on all players involved is required for completion," said Pistons general manager Jeff Bower in a statement. "Medical clearance was not given on all players and the trade is being rescinded. In view of privacy considerations relating to medical information, we will have no further comment."

The NBA's original trade deadline was last Thursday at 3 p.m., and the Pistons looked to have somewhat of a new-look roster. They had already traded away Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova, in exchange for Tobias Harris, who has now played in two games already for Detroit. But the team's second deal is the one that looked to be in trouble from the start.

Motiejunas has had a nagging back injury that the Pistons were checking up on. Those health concerns proved to be too much, as Yahoo reported that doctors would not clear Motiejunas.

With the trade voided, Anthony will return to Detroit, as will the Pistons' first-round pick, and Motiejunas and Thornton will stay in Houston.

This hangup leaves the Pistons slightly thinner on the front line. Anthony has played in 13 games for the Pistons this season, totaling nine points and 15 rebounds in 52 minutes. Forward Anthony Tolliver sprained his knee in Sunday's game against the Pelicans, and was scheduled for an MRI. Starting forward Marcus Morris has struggled out of the All-Star break, totaling 11 points and shooting 29 percent from the field in the past two games.