April 26, 2012; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons shooting guard Ben Gordon (8) moves the ball in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at The Palace. Detroit won 108-86. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

The Charlotte Bobcats have apparently agreed to trade Corey Maggette to the Detroit Pistons for Ben Gordon and a protected 2013 draft pick.

Gordon gives the Bobcats a shooter, which Mike Dunlap is looking for, and Magette (and his expiring contract) give the Pistons some much needed salary relief.

According to ESPN, The pick being sent to Charlotte is lottery protected in 2013, top eight protected in 2014, top one protected in 2015 and unprotected in 2016.

Rich Cho likes to stockpile draft picks, so a move like this shouldn’t be surprising… except the move everyone thought Charlotte would make was a pick swap with the Cleveland Cavs.

There hasn’t been much movement on that front, and it’s still a strong possibility, but this is a move that makes Charlotte immediately better:

Gordon is a career 40 percent three-point shooter, he scored 16.7 points per 36 minutes last year and he’s a better passer and defender than Maggette.

Gordon has two years and just over 25 million dollars left on his contract.