Donatas Motiejunas Trade Complication Could Void Sixers Acquisition of Joel Anthony, Draft Pick

You can't reach the moon by climbing trees, and evidently you can't close a deadline deal without needless complications. Word in Detroit is that the Pistons are meticulously evaluating Donatas Motiejunas' back, which could throw the Sixers deal for Joel Anthony in flux.

Courtesy of Pistons.com editor Keith Langlois, Stan Van Gundy revealed Detroit's request for more time to examine Motiejunas:

#Pistons have asked for 24-hour extension of 72-hour trade window to further evaluate @DonatasMot back condition, SVG says

— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) February 21, 2016

This is a concern even if the Pistons don't get an extension; the extra 24 hours could provide time to find a reason to void the trade while a rejection of the request might prompt Detroit to say, "Better safe than sorry!" and cut bait.

Either scenario would impact the Sixers. Joel Anthony was originally traded to Houston as part of the Do-Mo deal, and voiding that initial transaction would nullify Philadelphia's pact with the Rockets. A quiet deadline would be reduced to total silence, and a second-round pick would go up in smoke. All speculative for the time being, but it would be disappointing to see the Sixers lose out on what is essentially a "free" pick through no fault of their own.

Another victim in the process: JaKarr Sampson, who will have been waived unnecessarily if a roster spot is no longer needed to acquire Joel Anthony. Sampson will in all likelihood clear waivers and the Sixers have indicated they'd like to bring back Sampson if that happens, but in the absence of a trade, it's a needless complication.

Here's hoping Motiejunas' back checks out fine -- the Sixers would love all the picks they can get.

UPDATE:

All teams involved in DET-HOU-PHI trade had to approve request for extension, which they did, according to league source. Pushed to 6pm tom.

— Jessica Camerato (@JCameratoCSN) February 21, 2016

Tomorrow it is!