Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Captain Part of Trade in NBA

Duke basketball alum Wendell Moore Jr. should have a shot at more playing time next season.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forward Wendell Moore Jr.
Duke basketball forward Wendell Moore Jr. / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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Wendell Moore Jr. has spent most of his first two years in the league either at the end of the bench or developing his game in the G League. But consider that the former three-year Duke basketball guard and one-time Final Four participant played for a budding franchise in the Minnesota Timberwolves, who earned a No. 3 seed in the NBA Playoffs before reaching the Western Conference Finals this past season.

Now, it looks as though the 22-year-old Moore will be on a squad that figures to have considerably weaker competition for minutes.

Before the second round of the NBA Draft tipped off on Thursday afternoon, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Moore is heading to the Eastern Conference cellar dweller Detroit Pistons as part of a trade.

As Hoops Rumors' Arthur Hill explained, in what appears to be a move to unload Moore's contract for next season, the Timberwolves sent the 6-foot-5, 215-pound deep reserve and their eventual No. 37 overall draft pick (Bobi Klintman) to the Pistons in exchange for Detroit's No. 53 overall draft pick (Cam Spencer, reportedly traded to the Memphis Grizzlies).

After hearing his name No. 26 overall at the 2022 NBA Draft, Wendell Moore Jr. saw action in 29 games as a rookie in Minnesota, averaging 1.4 points in only 5.3 minutes per contest. And those numbers are bigger than his second-year averages: 0.7 points and 3.0 minutes across only 25 outings.

As things stand, the Charlotte native is the only Duke basketball talent on tap for the 2024-25 Detroit Pistons.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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