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Reviewing the Brandon Jennings, Ersan Ilyasova acquisition with Piston Powered

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) dribbles away from San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) dribbles away from San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic acquired Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova in a blockbuster deal Tuesday. Who are these guys? We asked Piston Powered to shed some light

The Orlando Magic are expecting freshly acquired Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova to arrive in Orlando on Thursday for their first practice and are both expected to come off the bench for Friday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.

There has been plenty of hand wringing and head scratching over the decision to trade Tobias Harris, but what is left is 30 games left in this season and two new players to integrate into the team.

Magic general manager Rob Hennigan said when discussing the trade Tuesday in an introductory press conference that the team was looking for some veteran leadership and poise entering the stretch run. While there are future cap implications, the team believes it helps define roles, balances the lineups and gives the team a chance to make the playoffs.

So who are Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. How do they fit with the Magic. And what might be at the heart of this deal?

We went right to the source, reaching out to Brady Fredericksen of Piston Powered for his take on Jennings and Ilyasova in the wake of the trade:

Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily:Brandon Jennings’ career has been a bit of a weird one with the high of his rookie year and then the slow, inefficient drip to what he is with Detroit. How did you view his tenure in Detroit and what made him valuable to the Pistons?

Brady Fredericksen, Piston Powered:There were three different variations of Jennings. It started off as the same Jennings that we had always known — inefficient shooter who takes the worst of shots, a passer who really does not create great looks for his teammates.

But after Josh Smith was waived last season, something clicked. Jennings played fast and free, running the pick and roll with Andre Drummond to perfection while putting together the best stretch of his career thanks to a floor-spacing offense that gave him room to play. And then he tore his Achilles.

I think he has grown up since he got to Detroit, and I think his game has matured, too. But the injury just threw everything out of whack.

Philip: We all know Jennings is coming off a pretty major injury last year. How has he looked recovering from that? Are there sparks of what he was before the injury?

Brady:Since returning this season, he has not been the same player. Jennings has had moments (the best, perhaps, against the Magic earlier this year), but he just is not the same player right now.

He looks (reasonably) tentative and his jumper has not come around. I think it is one of those cases where he will not really be “back” until next season. I think he could develop some fun pick-and-roll chemistry with Aaron Gordon.

Philip: Ersan Ilyasova had that big breakout year a few years ago but has really fallen off since in his time both in Milwaukee and Detroit. But he seemed like a perfect power forward for the Stan Van Gundy offense. How did he fit in with Detroit? What was the best way for teams to use him?

Brady:Ilyasova definitely brings a lot of good qualities that you want from a stretch-4, but he is also a very limited player.

He tends to pump fake himself out of open 3-pointers, choosing instead to pump fake and step back. He is also a poor defender who makes up for it with an uncanny ability to draw charges. I think the Magic can use him with Nikola Vucevic — though I do not think the defense will be great.

The issue with Ilyasova was his defense late in the games. Stan Van Gundy routinely chose to ride with Anthony Tolliver in the fourth quarter over him.

Philip: In your estimation, what does this deal do to Detroit’s playoff chances? Do you think it helped the Magic keep pace? Isn’t it just weird that two teams made this kind of a deal in the midst of a Playoff race?

Brady: I think it helps Detroit in the future more than it does now. The Pistons got the better player, but they also lost an important part of their flawed bench.

They need to find a way to upgrade now-backup point guard Steve Blake (which would seem to be rather easy, in theory) before the Thursday deadline if they want to make a real move up in the standings.

I do not know about the Magic. I think they are a team that needed a shakeup. I do not know that Jennings or Ilyasova are enough to move the needle either way. It feels like they are not really better or worse than they were before the deal.

The worry I would have from an Orlando perspective is Scott Skiles giving Jennings run over Elfrid Payton. I know they are trying to win now, but do not sacrifice a young guard’s confidence because you acquired a guy who has a reputation that trumps his on-court ability.

Next: Orlando Magic Trade Value Column 2016

Philip: My thanks to Brady for answering my questions. I followed through with the question exchange and will join Brady and the Piston Powered crew for a 4-on-4 on the trade . Be sure to check that out!

The Magic return to action Friday against the Dallas Mavericks at Amway Center in what will likely be Jennings and Ilyasova’s debut.