The first move of NBA trade deadline day wasn’t exactly a blockbuster, as it was a minimum contract swap in the Central division.
The Pistons, still looking for backcourt depth around their star frontcourt, looked to the Bulls for help and found some in the form of Jameer Nelson, according to The Vertical’s Shams Charania.
Sources: Detroit is sending center Willie Reed to the Bulls for Jameer Nelson, who shores up Pistons' PG rotation.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2018
Nelson was acquired in the Bulls’ trade with the Pelicans, in which Chicago sent Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans. No one expected Nelson to stay in Chicago beyond the deadline, but he was expected to be kept around in case a trade opportunity such as this arose.
Willie Reed did not spend much time in Detroit, as he was part of the Blake Griffin trade and is currently serving a six-game suspension handed down by the NBA for a domestic violence incident with his wife prior to the season. Reed is a younger piece than Nelson that the Bulls may take a look at on a trial run for the end of the season before he hits free agency.
Nelson, meanwhile, reunites with Stan Van Gundy and will provide a veteran presence off the bench at the point guard spot, which is a desperate position of need in Detroit.
