Pistons acquire Bradley, renounce rights to Caldwell-Pope

WASHINGTON, USA – The Detroit Pistons acquired guard Avery Bradley from the Boston Celtics in exchange for forward Marcus Morris, the Pistons said on Friday, July 7 (Saturday in Manila).

The deal brings one of the best two-way players in the NBA to Detroit, which also receives a 2019 second-round draft pick in the deal.

With Bradley on his way to Detroit, the Pistons withdrew their $5.5 million qualifying offer and renounced their rights to restricted free-agent guard Kentavius Caldwell-Pope.

That makes Caldwell-Pope, who was reportedly seeking some $25 million, an unrestricted free agent, with the Brooklyn Nets reportedly interested in acquiring him.

Bradley, 26, averaged 16.2 points per game and shot 39% from 3-point range for the Celtics last season, when Boston reached the Eastern Conference finals.

But dealing him gives Boston room under the salary cap to sign All-Star free agent forward Gordon Hayward to a 4-year, $128 million maximum contract.

Hayward, 27, chose the Celtics earlier this week over the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz, the team with which he played his first 7 seasons since he was drafted ninth overall in 2010.

Morris, 27, played 6 NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Pistons. He averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 79 games with the Pistons last season. – Rappler.com