“Huge Boost’ as Former Duke Basketball Captain Part of Trade in NBA

Duke basketball alum Wendell Moore Jr. is expected to receive more playing time in the upcoming season.

During his first two years in the league, Wendell Moore Jr. mostly sat on the bench or honed his skills in the G League. However, as a former three-year Duke basketball guard and one-time Final Four participant, Moore played for the up-and-coming Minnesota Timberwolves, who achieved a No. 3 seed in the NBA Playoffs and reached the Western Conference Finals last season.

Now, it seems that the 22-year-old Moore will have the opportunity to compete for more minutes on a team with less intense competition.

Recently, it was reported that Moore is being traded to the Detroit Pistons, who currently stand as the weakest team in the Eastern Conference. The trade is seemingly aimed at relieving the Timberwolves of Moore’s contract for the next season. In the exchange, the Timberwolves sent Moore and their eventual No. 37 overall draft pick to the Pistons in return for Detroit’s No. 53 overall draft pick.

Wendell Moore Jr has been traded to the Detroit Pistons. pic.twitter.com/qiQhzfTt5E

— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) June 27, 2024

Following his selection as the No. 26 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Wendell Moore Jr. played in 29 games during his rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 1.4 points in 5.3 minutes per game. In his second year, he saw even less action, averaging 0.7 points and 3.0 minutes across 25 games.

As it currently stands, Wendell Moore Jr. is the only former Duke basketball player set to join the Detroit Pistons for the 2024-25 season.