The Detroit Pistons gave up on Serbia-Montenegro center Darko Milicic on Wednesday, trading the No. 2 pick in the 2003 NBA draft to the Orlando Magic.
Puerto Rican reserve Carlos Arroyo also was dealt to Orlando as part of the trade for a first-round selection and center Kelvin Cato.
"Darko is a young player and I think he's going to get an opportunity to play in Orlando. I wish him the best going forward," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said.
Detroit drafted Milicic three years ago after LeBron James and ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. But he barely played as the Pistons won an NBA title, almost repeated last year and compiled the best record in the league so far this season.
The 7-foot, 245-pound center played in 96 games in three seasons, averaging 1.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 5.8 minutes. He is 20 years old.
After being relegated to the bench under former coach Larry Brown for two seasons, first-year coach Flip Saunders insisted Milicic would be given a chance to play. But he was still stuck as a seldom-used reserve, averaging 1.6 points in 25 games this season.
"I think he needs a chance. He's a very skilled 7-foot basketball player that can shoot the ball from the elbow, top-of-the-key area, 15-17 foot range," Magic assistant general manager Otis Smith said. "I think he just needed a change to show what he can do."
Despite his struggles with the Pistons, Milicic was a fan favorite during his first two seasons and was embarrassed when they chanted: "We want Dar-ko!" This season, the fans seemed to give up on trying to get him into games - and the team ran out of patience with a player it knew would be a project.
With Detroit's playoff position secure last season, Milicic started the final two regular-season games and responded with 25 points and eight rebounds - the kind of numbers the Pistons said he would get if he was on a struggling team.
During practices and workouts, Milicic often looked impressive scoring on an array of low-post moves, mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers. His skills rarely carried over into games.
In return for one of the NBA's biggest busts, the Pistons acquired a first-round pick and future salary-cap space when Cato's $8 million-plus contract expires this summer.
If Orlando's first-round pick next year is No. 5 or better, the Magic will keep it. If it's not, the Pistons will acquire the Magic's 2008 first-round slot.
The Pistons acquired Arroyo from the Utah Jazz nearly 13 months ago, with three years and about $12 million left on his contract. He averaged 3.2 points and 3.1 assists this season, his fifth in the NBA. With the return of Lindsey Hunter from injury, Arroyo might have played even less the rest of the season. Detroit also clears some salary-cap space by dealing the point guard.
Detroit heads into this weekend's All-Star break with the NBA's best record at 42-9 while Orlando was among the league's worst teams.
Puerto Rican reserve Carlos Arroyo also was dealt to Orlando as part of the trade for a first-round selection and center Kelvin Cato.
"Darko is a young player and I think he's going to get an opportunity to play in Orlando. I wish him the best going forward," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said.
Detroit drafted Milicic three years ago after LeBron James and ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. But he barely played as the Pistons won an NBA title, almost repeated last year and compiled the best record in the league so far this season.
The 7-foot, 245-pound center played in 96 games in three seasons, averaging 1.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 5.8 minutes. He is 20 years old.
After being relegated to the bench under former coach Larry Brown for two seasons, first-year coach Flip Saunders insisted Milicic would be given a chance to play. But he was still stuck as a seldom-used reserve, averaging 1.6 points in 25 games this season.
"I think he needs a chance. He's a very skilled 7-foot basketball player that can shoot the ball from the elbow, top-of-the-key area, 15-17 foot range," Magic assistant general manager Otis Smith said. "I think he just needed a change to show what he can do."
Despite his struggles with the Pistons, Milicic was a fan favorite during his first two seasons and was embarrassed when they chanted: "We want Dar-ko!" This season, the fans seemed to give up on trying to get him into games - and the team ran out of patience with a player it knew would be a project.
With Detroit's playoff position secure last season, Milicic started the final two regular-season games and responded with 25 points and eight rebounds - the kind of numbers the Pistons said he would get if he was on a struggling team.
During practices and workouts, Milicic often looked impressive scoring on an array of low-post moves, mid-range jumpers and 3-pointers. His skills rarely carried over into games.
In return for one of the NBA's biggest busts, the Pistons acquired a first-round pick and future salary-cap space when Cato's $8 million-plus contract expires this summer.
If Orlando's first-round pick next year is No. 5 or better, the Magic will keep it. If it's not, the Pistons will acquire the Magic's 2008 first-round slot.
The Pistons acquired Arroyo from the Utah Jazz nearly 13 months ago, with three years and about $12 million left on his contract. He averaged 3.2 points and 3.1 assists this season, his fifth in the NBA. With the return of Lindsey Hunter from injury, Arroyo might have played even less the rest of the season. Detroit also clears some salary-cap space by dealing the point guard.
Detroit heads into this weekend's All-Star break with the NBA's best record at 42-9 while Orlando was among the league's worst teams.