With the NBA trade deadline almost 24 hours away and fellow Eastern Conference title contenders the Philadelphia 76ers making a splashy move late Tuesday night, it was only a matter of time before the Bucks made a move of their own to solidify their roster before the season's final run to the playoffs.

And today, that move happened, as the Bucks traded big man Thon Maker to the Detroit Pistons for Stanley Johnson, as first reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Pistons are finalizing a trade to send Stanley Johnson to Milwaukee for Thon Maker, league source tells ESPN. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2019

Maker-for-Johnson is an ideal change-of-scenery deal for two young former lottery picks. Johnson can work to find a role on a contending team, and Maker will get an opportunity for playing time with Dwane Casey. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2019

Drafted tenth in the 2016 NBA Draft, Maker was seen at first as a potential second Giannis in the making, a long and lanky big swing of player of immense potential. And while Maker never quite reached that high bar set before him, during his two seasons with the Bucks, the wiry live-wire center was a strong energy player for the team. That was especially the case during the Bucks' two playoff appearances with Maker, where he brought an instant charge of electricity against both the Toronto Raptors to end the 2016-17 season and the Boston Celtics last season.

Maker's playing time and production, however, took a dive this season as a new coach with a new system and new preferences took over the helm, relegating him entirely as a bench player averaging just over 11 minutes a game – and dropping – as the season's gone along. (His last on-court appearance was Jan. 21 for four minutes.) Five days later, he would request a trade from Bucks management – and the Bucks today made that a reality. 

A fellow first-round lottery pick, Stanley Johnson has averaged 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists as a forward for the Detroit Pistons over the past three and a half seasons. While he doesn't have Maker's high ceiling, Johnson should be a solid defensive bench piece for a Bucks team looking for depth in the playoffs – especially considering fellow Milwaukee forward Ersan Ilyasova's mild struggles this season.

Plus, according to JSOnline Bucks reporter Matt Velazquez, Johnson will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, meaning the Bucks can let him go if things fall through, while Maker would be owed $3.6 million for 2019-20. 

One thing to note is if Stanley Johnson doesn't work out in Milwaukee he's a restricted free agent the Bucks can renounce this summer and let walk. They were on the hook to pay Thon Maker $3.6 million next season.

Potentially opening up that cap room could help sign other guys. — Matt Velazquez (@Matt_Velazquez) February 6, 2019

Though his time in Milwaukee is now over, fans will certainly remember Maker's fierce playoff punch – especially his five-block performance in Game 3 against Boston last year – along with his literal punching (and kicking) during a FIBA game this past offseason, playing for the Australian team.

That on-court incident aside, he'll also be remembered as just seemingly a really good guy, the kind that would move to a cramped economy seat to make room for another passenger. 

Welcome to Milwaukee, Stanley Johnson – and we'll miss you, Thon Maker, a good Bucks player and an even better person. 

"Thon is like my little brother, this one hurts more than any trade that happened that I’ve been a part of but this is the business we work in." -@Giannis_An34 reaction to deal agreed in principle that will send Thon Maker to Detroit for Stanley Johnson (per @wojespn) — Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) February 6, 2019

For more updates on the Bucks in this season's final run to the playoffs, stay tuned to OnMilwaukee.