AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the Detroit Pistons have acquired a future first round draft choice and center Kelvin Cato from the Orlando Magic in exchange for center Darko Milicic and guard Carlos Arroyo.
“We feel like this is a good trade for our team and gives our organization flexibility as we move forward this season and in the future,” said Dumars. “We appreciate the professionalism and effort that both Darko and Carlos displayed on and off the court while here with the Pistons. 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.”
Cato, 31, appeared in 23 games with the Magic this season, averaging 3.8 points and 2.7 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game. He missed 26 games this season overall. In 519 NBA games, Cato has averaged 5.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game with Portland, Houston and Orlando. The former Iowa State product has recorded 29 career double-doubles and in Rockets’ franchise history, he ranks third all-time in field goal percentage and fourth all-time in blocks. He has recorded NBA career highs of 27 points (12/18/99 vs. Boston) and 15 rebounds (4/1/00 vs. Atlanta).
Arroyo, 26, was acquired last season by the Pistons in exchange for Elden Campbell and a future lottery-protected first round draft pick on January 21, 2005. In 50 games with the Pistons this season, he averaged 3.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 12.0 minutes per game. In 272 career games with Toronto, Denver, Utah and Detroit, Arroyo averaged 6.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 17.3 minutes per game. He became the fifth player from Puerto Rico to play in the NBA when he debuted with the Toronto Raptors in 2001-02.
Milicic, 20, was drafted by the Pistons with the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He appeared in 25 games (no starts) this season, averaging 1.5 points and 1.1 rebounds in 5.6 minutes per game. In his three NBA seasons with Detroit, Milicic averaged 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in 96 games. He became the youngest player ever to appear in an NBA Finals game (18 years/356 days) when the Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals. Milicic appeared in 17 career playoff games with Detroit.