Ersan Ilyasova
Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and center Timofey Mozgov (20) battle for a loose ball in the fourth quarter of a game in Milwaukee. Reuters/Benny Sieu/USA Today Sports

The Detroit Pistons acquired forward-center Ersan Ilyasova from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for veteran wingmen Caron Butler and Shawne Williams. The trade, which was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, will help the Pistons find a replacement for big man Greg Monroe, who is expected to explore free agency and leave Detroit in this offseason.

The acquisition of Ilyasova will give Stan Van Gundy, the team’s head coach and general manager, an option to have a stretch-four in the lineup similar to his days with the Orlando Magic, when he mentored Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, both known to stretch the floor with their three-point shooting ability at the four spot.

Ilyasova was a second-round pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, selected 36th overall by Milwaukee, where he played for six seasons. He played for Barcelona in Spain from 2007 to 2009 after his rookie year in the NBA but returned to Milwaukee for the 2009-2010 season. Ilyasova has career averages of 10.7 points on 38.9 percent three-point field goal shooting and 6 rebounds.

In joining Detroit, Ilyasova is seen as a good complement to current franchise big man Andre Drummond, who can also play both the frontcourt spots. Drummond, who averages 13.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game, is known more for his athleticism, inside play and defense -- a potentially good tandem with Ilyasova, who is known for his outside shooting and rebounding.

For Milwaukee, the move is seen as a financial move as Ilyasova was set to earn about $8 million per year in the next two seasons. Both Butler and Williams have cheaper contracts that expire after the 2015-16 season.

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