PHOENIX -- The Houston Rockets traded power forward Donatas Motiejunas and small forward Marcus Thornton to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a protected 2016 first round pick and Joel Anthony, according to a source.
The pick is Top 8 protected in 2016 and Top 10 in 2017 and 2018, according to ESPN's Tom Haberstroh.
The Rockets were willing to let Motiejunas go despite being high on his abilities as a passer and being able to hit mid-range jumpers.
He was a highly regarded player for the Rockets before suffering a back injury late last season.