Ersan Ilyasova to Pistons: Forward's Arrival Points to Greg Monroe's Exit

The Milwaukee Bucks traded forward Ersan Ilyasova to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Caron Butler and Shawne Williams on Thursday, ESPN reported. It's a move that points toward further uncertainty with big man Greg Monroe heading into the offseason.

Monroe is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and this deal shows the Pistons' realization that the amount of interest he's likely to generate on the open market could leave a major void in their roster. Instead, the team made a preemptive strike through the trade market.

David Mayo of MLive.com reported the "likelihood remains that [Monroe] seeks an external deal." But the report also noted the stance of head coach Stan Van Gundy, who wasn't prepared to close the door on a reunion in late May.

Whether the trade for Ilyasova changes that outlook is unclear. Either way, it's a nice under-the-radar addition at a reasonable price.

The Journal-Times provided remarks from the disgruntled forward last February. He said going through the same rebuilding process all the time in Milwaukee had become tiresome.

"The thing I'm upset about is each year, each season, we go through the same thing," Ilyasova said. "Last year, we make the playoffs and now we start all over again. That's really frustrating. Hopefully, we'll find right pieces for the team. Hopefully, we'll turn it around."

Even though the Bucks did bounce back to make the playoffs this season, they weren't legitimate title contenders and his impact was limited. So the fact that the sides are parting ways at this stage doesn't come as much of a surprise.

Ilyasova's play dropped off last season, as well. After posting a player efficiency rating above 18 in each of the previous two campaigns, it fell to a mundane mark a shade below 14 in 2013-14, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

The biggest reason for the poor production was his shooting percentages. He shoots 45 percent from the floor and 37 percent from beyond the arc for his career, but those numbers dropped to 41 percent and 28 percent, respectively, last year.

Michael Gallagher of Rotoworld provided a graphical look at the forward's shooting woes:

His numbers bounced back slightly in 2014-15, but still not to his previous peak. It became obvious that joining a new organization was the best potential result for Ilyasova this offseason.

Ultimately, it took some time for the Bucks to find the right deal. Most likely, they were waiting for the Turkish forward to recoup some value, which he did with improved play in a more limited role this past season. Trading him earlier would have likely come at a lesser price.

Given his prior frustrations with the franchise's direction and the lack of consistent contributions, making a trade was probably the best move for all sides, even though it took some time. Ilyasova gets a fresh start, and the Bucks are able to move forward with a few new pieces.

There's no reason Ilyasova shouldn't be able to return to his previous levels of production with his new squad if Monroe does leave. He would once again serve as a featured part of the rotation and should fit the system well as a forward who can stretch the floor and move the ball.

Three seasons ago, he averaged 13 points and nearly nine rebounds while shooting 49 percent from the field. If he can rediscover that form, the best days could still be ahead of the 28-year-old.

All told, getting out of Milwaukee should serve as the first step toward getting back on track for Ilyasova. It's a wise pickup for the Pistons to start the offseason on a high note.