Pistons Trade Carlos Delfino to the Raptors

The Pistons made an extremely interesting trade on Friday, sending Carlos Delfino to the Raptors in exchange for two second-round picks (2009 and 2011). "Wait a minute," most of you are saying right about now. "What's so interesting about that?"

Well, Delfino was Tayshaun Prince's primary backup at small forward, as well as the first or second shooting guard off the bench (depending on Flip Saunders particular mood on any given night). He was a vital cog in the rotation, and given Joe Dumars' mandate that the team had to get younger and more athletic, it's definitely a little curious that they'd move such a young (24) and athletic player simply for a couple of second round picks far off in the future.

Of course, this might be one of those moves that makes more sense in hindsight. Is the team clearing cap space to make a run at a free agent? Maybe, but Delfino was set to make only $1.8 million next year. Might a guy like Grant Hill be willing to accept that? If anything, this probably puts an end to the "Hill to the Raptors" rumor which never quite got off the ground.

Another option is that the Pistons are simply clearing a roster spot to get even younger -- perhaps opening up a spot in the rotation for 20-year-old Amir Johnson, who is a restricted free agent this summer. The Pistons have a lot of faith in Johnson, who tore up the D-League before having success in significant minutes over the last few games of the regular season. Until now, it wasn't clear where/how he would fit into the rotation, but barring another move he could be in line for at least 15 minutes a game this coming season.

Whatever backcourt depth the Pistons lost could be at least partially addressed by bringing Alex Acker back to the states. Acker did nothing as a rookie with the Pistons in 2005-06 but was one of the best Americans playing in Europe while suiting up in Greece this past season.

As for the Raptors, GM Bryan Colangelo continues to accumulate international talent. With Morris Peterson leaving as a free agent for greener pastures, Delfino should at least be in for 20 minutes a game off the bench, if not a starting gig at small forward. Delfino is from Argentina but has experience playing in Europe, and he'll probably enjoy getting back to that atmosphere after an occasionally rocky tenure with the Pistons.