TORONTO, Feb. 22 -- The Toronto Raptors became the only team to make two deals prior to Thursday's deadline, acquiring forward Jerome Williams and center Eric Montross from the Detroit Pistons.
The Raptors sent their "core" players -- forwards Corliss Williamson, Tyrone Corbin and Kornel David -- and a future first-round pick to the Pistons. The pick will be one Toronto acquired from Orlando in last summer's Tracy McGrady deal.
Earlier, the Raptors sent point guards Mark Jackson and Muggsy Bogues to the New York Knicks for point guard Chris Childs and a 2001 first-round pick.
"We need to take steps for the long term," Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald said. "Hopefully this puts us in a good position in the future."
The Raptors are 28-26 and tied with Charlotte for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
The 6-9 Williams is 27 years old and is one of the NBA's better rebounders. He is averaging 7.3 points and 8.4 rebounds in 33 games primarily as a reserve this season, his fifth in the NBA.
The 7-foot Montross joins his sixth team in as many seasons. He is averaging 2.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 42 games and never has realized the potential that made him "Mr. Basketball" as a high school senior in Indiana and a star at North Carolina.
The trio of forwards traded by the Raptors could not be further from their core players. The 6-7 Williamson, 27, fell out of favor with coach Lenny Wilkens and has been dealt for the second time in less than a year. Toronto sent guard Doug Christie to Sacramento for Williamson last summer.
Corbin, 38, a 16-year veteran, and David, 29, a three-year pro from Hungary, have been on the injured list for most of the season.
The Pistons (21-33) are 3 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and have been targeting the offseason since All-Star forward Grant Hill fled for Orlando last July.
Pistons president Joe Dumars has swung a series of deals to create salary cap room needed to pursue free agents. One who has been targeted is Sacramento Kings All-Star forward Chris Webber, a native of Detroit.