The Detroit Pistons traded Caron Butler and Shawne Williams to the Milwaukee Bucks for Ersan Ilyasova, according to the Pistons' press release.
Pistons president and coach Stan Van Gundy announced the Ilyasova trade Thursday afternoon, indicating the 28-year-old small forward fit what Van Gundy wanted to do with the team.
"Ersan Ilyasova is a player we have coveted since we got to Detroit," Van Gundy said in a statement released on the team website. "Not only is he a proficient three-point shooter that can stretch the floor, he is a high-energy, hard-playing guy who fits extremely well with how we want to play. We are excited about what he can add to our team."
"We appreciate the contributions of Caron and Shawne. Caron, in particular, is difficult to say goodbye to. Not only did he play well for us, his leadership went above and beyond. I'm not sure I've ever seen a single player have a more a positive impact on a team than Caron did on ours. He is a special person and we will always respect and appreciate what he did here."
Ilyasova spent all seven years of his professional career in Milwaukee, where he averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds on 45% field goal shooting and 37% 3-point shooting. He's due $16 million over the next two seasons.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, received the $4.5 million expiring contract of Butler and the $1.3 million expiring contract of Williams. Taking on those contracts frees up extra cap space for the Bucks to use next summer.
