A small trade, there's no doubt about the initial take, but a trade that could mean big things for both teams as 2009-10 drones along. 

The Detroit Pistons sent Amir Johnson (pictured, right) to the Milwaukee Bucks for Fabricio Oberto on Tuesday. The two players combined to average just 13.6 minutes per game last season, but considering the motivation behind the deal for both squads, this obscure move could pay off for both sides.

For Detroit, they get Oberto's partially guaranteed contract, one that they will no doubt pass on fully guaranteeing. This saves the team about $1.5 million off their payroll for 2009-10, which might not seem like a ton, but could be enough to

1). Act as the difference in potential first year salary for a player trying to choose between teams. If Ben Gordon(notes) has to choose between $8 million from Chicago and $9.5 million from Detroit, well, it won't be a contest.
2). Serve as that percentage-driven grace period between salaries that somewhat match, in a large player transaction.
3). Show up as $1.5 million saved in the team's ledger, no small feat in an awful economy, for a team moving through a rebuilding process.

A sound move, even if Johnson has some talent that could still be worth developing.

Bucks coach Scott Skiles doesn't have the best history of developing young talent, but he does have a sterling history when it comes to getting the most out of players, effort-wise, for short spells. And Amir was lacking in effort, to say the least, during 2008-09. A season designed (with a new coaching staff in Detroit) to bring out the best in Detroit's interior prospect.

Flush with room under the luxury tax (after jettisoning Richard Jefferson to San Antonio) to muck about and extend salaries, the Bucks took a chance on a talented youngster who clearly didn't have the drive or interest in doing much of anything last season.

It cost them just under $1.8 million (the difference between Oberto's partially guaranteed take of $1.9 million, and Johnson's $3.67 salary for 2009-10, expiring next summer), but for a team that was forced to play Malik Allen(notes) big minutes last season, a solid move.

Of course, one has to wonder if a team coached by Skiles is ever "forced" into playing Malik Allen. You never know with this guy's rotations.

But he's also won with teams that were in way over their collective heads. As much as we mock the guy, he can do great things when he gets a sack full of players that he likes. If Johnson is one of those players ... look out.

And if Detroit uses its increased bit of flexibility to get creative and work things the right way ... look out.

Honestly, great deal for both sides.