 Spurs Land Jefferson
The San Antonio Spurs acquired forward Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday in exchange for Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas, ESPN.com reports. The Spurs also also traded Fabricio Oberto to the Detroit Pistons for forward Amir Johnson, who was then sent to the Bucks. Spurs G.M. R.C. Buford said Jefferson adds youth, health, and a scoring presence on the wing to the oldest team in the NBA. Jefferson hasn't missed a game in two years. Jefferson averaged 19.6 points and a career-high 39.7 percent from 3-point range while starting all 82 games last year. He and Kobe Bryant were the only two players in the league to average at least 20.0 PPG while playing in every game. Bowen and Thomas have expiring contracts that will clear $15 million in salary for the Bucks in 2010-11, giving them more flexibility for the 2009-10 season. The Bucks will save $4.35 million next year after releasing Bowen since he has just $2.5 million guaranteed, and they are looking to avoid paying the NBA luxury tax. The Pistons will also clear some cap room if they waive Oberto, since he has only $1.8 million guaranteed on his deal. Waiving him would save Detroit $1.7 million this year, as they try to clear cap space for the much anticipated free agent class of 2010 which includes the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, among others. Minnesota Reportedly Acquires No. 5 Overall Pick Wolves Trying To Trade For Second Pick ESPN.com’s Ric Bucher is reporting that the Washington Wizards are nearing a deal that would send the No. 5 pick in Thursday's draft, Oleksiy Pecherov, Etan Thomas and Darius Songaila to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. With four 1st round picks (5, 6, 18 and 28), the T'Wolves are also attempting to move up further to land the second pick in the draft by offering the Memphis Grizzlies the No. 5 and No. 18 picks, according to ESPN's Andy Katz. Memphis guard Tyreke Evans appears to be the player they are targeting. The trade won’t be completed until Wednesday when Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor meets with G.M. David Kahn (read The Biz of Basketball interview with David Kahn), and Etan Thomas signs an agreement that he won't opt out of his deal on July 1 and become a free agent. Thomas is set to receive $1.2 million by agreeing to the trade.
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