Suns deal Lopez to Hornets in three-team deal
The New Orleans Hornets reportedly have agreed to three-team trade that will bring them Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick.
In the deal, the Arizona Republic reported the Phoenix Suns would receive a conditional first-round pick and swingman Wesley Johnson from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The report says Minnesota would receive retiring Brad Miller, but given it is illegal to trade for a player previously traded away by the same organization during the same season (from July 1-June 30), he’s likely on his way to the Phoenix Suns. Miller’s contract is only guaranteed for $848k this coming season.
Minnesota would reportedly receive Jerome Dyson and two second-round picks from New Orleans.
The move would allow the Timberwolves to clear salary cap room to sign free agent forward Andrei Kirilenko
Lopez is a restricted free agent, but the sides aren’t believed to be close and any talks weren’t helped by the three-year, $25 million deal Omer Asik signed with Houston, according to the Republic. It is expected Lopez has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal in order to facilitate this trade.
Meanwhile, New Orleans currently has only Anthony Davis and Jason Smith as big men and is in need of a center.
Johnson, who was the No. 4 overall pick in 2010, averaged 6.0 points last season.
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