Why did the Pistons trade Chase Budinger to Houston?
Langlois: After the Pistons had already selected Austin Daye in the first round and two players in the second round DaJuan Summers and Jonas Jerebko the Pistons believed would go in the first round, they knew they had three players worth of occupying roster spots for the 2009-10 season. They thought, at that point, they wouldnt have room for another rookie draft choice. Had they exercised the pick, it would have been on a player who would have agreed to play in Europe for at least one season. Before making their pick, Houston called and offered cash and a future second-rounder for the No. 44 pick. The Pistons agreed to those terms. But because of rules governing the draft, the Pistons had to make the pick for Houston. So Houston instructed the Pistons to draft Budinger and they complied. The Pistons only drafted Budinger in the most technical sense. They did it at Houstons bidding.
