Detroit Pistons acquire Zhaire Smith from the Philadelphia 76ers
By Bob Heyrman
The Tony Bradley acquisition won’t be anything more than just a paper trail. The Detroit Pistons are moving the 22-year old center to Philadelphia in exchange for guard/forward Zhaire Smith.
I can’t say I’m surprised. Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver is back to his wheeling and dealing. This time Weaver is sending Tony Bradley, one of what seems like his 100 center acquisitions to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for guard Zhaire Smith.
It’s a deal that makes plenty of sense for the Detroit Pistons. Detroit has a need for another shooting guard or wing scorer; Smith can play either. Smith is a 21-year old with plenty of potential but has struggled to remain healthy in recent years.
Smith had been initially selected by the Phoenix Suns 16th overall in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. Smith later made his NBA debut in 2018 with the 76ers but only played in six games. Smith followed that up by appearing in just seven games last season, averaging just 4.6 minutes per game.
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As you can see, this is a very minor deal, but it’s a move that may work out for the Pistons. Unlike in Philadelphia, Smith will have an opportunity to earn himself some consistent playing time as Detroit needed depth bodies for both the two and three spots on the court.
Despite just averaging 3.7 points, 1.2 boards, and 0.9 assists per game over 13 NBA contests. Smith did play in 28 games last year, with Delaware in the G-league averaging 13.5 points per game.
Bradley will play behind star center Joel Embiid and veteran Dwight Howard if he remains with the 76ers.
When you quickly look at the financial ramifications of the deal, it’s basically a wash. Bradley is due $3.5 million this season and is set to become a restricted free agent at seasons’ end. Smith is owed just over $3 million this season and has a team option worth $4.9 million for the 2021/22 season.
Is star forward Blake Griffin the next to go?. dark. Next
The Pistons had a logjam at center after signing Mason Plumlee and Jahlil Okafor, along with drafting Isaiah Stewart. It goes without saying it had been apparent either Okafor or Bradley would moving elsewhere serving as just a paper trail transaction for the Detroit Pistons.