YES Network.com

On the eve of the 2012 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Bobcats have traded small forward Corey Maggette to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for guard Ben Gordon and a future lottery-protected first-round draft pick.

Gordon, who was the No. 3 overall choice by the Bulls in 2004, has averaged 16.5 points per game over his career but never found his niche in Detroit, averaging just 12.5 in 52 games last season.

Maggette, meanwhile, was limited to just 32 games in 2011-12, but posted averages of 15.0 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Bobcats. The 13-year veteran has averaged 16.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game over his career.

“With this trade, we have acquired two things we covet in our plan to build this team,” Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said. “By acquiring a young and proven talent in Ben Gordon and a future first-round draft pick, we have both addressed our need for three-point shooting and acquired an additional asset to help continue to improve our team in the future.”

While Charlotte acquires a dynamic scorer, the deal also helps Detroit in terms of salary reduction; Gordon has two years and $25.6 million remaining on the $55 million deal he signed in 2009, while Maggette – who will make $10.9 million in 2012-13 – will become a free agent next summer, meaning the Pistons will save close to $15 million.

As for the draft pick, the Bobcats will receive the Pistons’ first-round choice sometime between 2013-16; the pick is lottery-protected next year and Top 8-protected in 2014, but will only be protected in 2015 if it is No. 1 overall and is unprotected in 2016.