Pistons, Wizards Agree to Trade as Detroit Adds Veteran Depth to Young Core

The Pistons struck a deal amid early season struggles, adding two vets to the mix.

The Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards are ready to shake things weeks before the NBA trade deadline. With the two teams struggling through the first stretch of the year, they’ve struck a deal that’ll send Marvin Bagley, Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks from Detroit to Washington in exchange for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Pistons and Wizards are finalizing a deal to trade Marvin Bagley, Isaiah Livers, and two second-round picks for forwards Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 14, 2024

Bagley has seen his scoring production and rebounding decline in the past two years from his first season with the team. Through 26 games (10 as a starter), the 24-year-old averages 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season.

Gallinari is another noteworthy name in the deal, and after missing the entire 2022-23 season due to a torn ACL, he’s averaged 14.8 minutes per game while tallying 7.0 points and 2.9 rebounds through 26 games in Washington. Gallinari was traded to the Wizards this past offseason from the Boston Celtics as part of the deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the current top team in the Eastern Conference.

Muscala, 32, is another veteran forward who’s been a journeyman throughout his career, and Detroit will mark the seventh NBA team of his career. Livers, a former second-round draft pick, is a 25-year-old big man who’s averaged 5.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 20.4 minutes per game this season.