Boston Swapped a Reserve Center for a Reserve Guard
The October 17, 2014 agreement sent Joel Anthony to Detroit and Will Bynum to Boston. Detroit's announcement identified Anthony as an experienced depth center, while the Celtics had already built a crowded frontcourt around younger options. Bynum had played six previous seasons for the Pistons, but Boston wasn't buying that historical output as if it had happened in Massachusetts. The guard also arrived at a time when the Celtics were sorting through several backcourt candidates in training camp. The exchange offered both sides a way to rearrange minor roster commitments before the season began.
Bynum Never Supplied Regular-Season Celtics Minutes
The Boston portion was especially brief. Bynum did not establish himself in the Celtics' regular-season guard rotation and was gone before an appearance that could be credited to this trade. His scoring records and assist totals in Detroit show why Boston might have considered a look, but none count as a contribution to the receiving franchise. This was a speculative preseason personnel move rather than a successful acquisition of immediate help. That distinction is important because a trade-history page can otherwise overstate the return by carrying over a player's entire career résumé.
Anthony Filled a Small but Measurable Detroit Role
Anthony did play for Detroit. He appeared in 49 games during the 2014-15 season, averaging only 8.3 minutes and 1.8 points, with his more recognizable contribution coming from defense and shot blocking. The Pistons weren't getting the athletic Miami-era version of a championship reserve, but they could use him in spot frontcourt minutes. His 49 appearances are real receiving-team value, yet limited playing time keeps the outcome from becoming a substantial roster gain. Detroit also retained him briefly beyond that first season, without making him a central building block.
A Minor Personnel Transaction Deserves a Modest Assessment
The deal didn't decide either team's season. Boston acquired flexibility in evaluating a guard but never extracted court time from Bynum. Detroit obtained a veteran center for emergency minutes, accepting a narrow rather than transformative basketball return. Both teams' C+ grades can be understood as reflecting a small preseason transaction with little financial or talent risk rather than equal numbers of NBA appearances. The on-court comparison leans Detroit, but the existing Even Trade verdict recognizes that neither side surrendered a foundation piece or gained a long-term starter.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Boston receives C+ because Will Bynum was a short-lived preseason acquisition rather than a regular-season contributor. Detroit also gets C+, with Joel Anthony appearing in 49 games in 2014-15 but producing only modest reserve numbers. The Pistons got more direct minutes, while the overall consequences were too small to treat the swap as a decisive franchise win.