Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - The Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Hornets and
Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed on a multi-player trade that will send
forward Wes Johnson from Minnesota to Phoenix and center Robin Lopez and
forward Hakim Warrick from the Suns to New Orleans.
The swap also sends retiring center Brad Miller, and his $5.1 million expiring
contract, and guard Jerome Dyson from the Hornets to the Suns. Phoenix also
gets a future first-round pick from Minnesota, while the Wolves pick up a pair
of second-round picks (2013 and 2016) from New Orleans.
In two seasons with the Wolves, Johnson, the fourth overall pick of the 2010
NBA Draft, averaged 7.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 144 games -- 127 starts.
"We thank Wes for his two seasons in Minnesota and wish him the best in
Phoenix," Timberwolves president of operations David Kahn said. "This trade
frees up salary cap space for us as we pursue adding additional players to our
roster."
The Wolves used that extra money to sign free agent forward Andrei Kirilenko.
Lopez was selected by the Suns with the 15th overall pick of the 2008 draft.
The 7-foot Stanford product has career averages of 5.8 points and 3.3
rebounds in 242 NBA games, including 94 starts.
Warrick spent the past two seasons in Phoenix and last year averaged 6.4
points with 2.6 rebounds in 35 games. The Syracuse product has also played for
Memphis, Milwaukee and Chicago in seven seasons and has career averages of 9.5
points with 4.1 rebounds in 498 games.
"We are very excited about this trade that brings us two quality people and
basketball players to help strengthen our foundation as a team," said Hornets
general manager Dell Demps. "This move gives us a true center in Robin Lopez
who brings and is a tough inside rebounder. In Hakim, we get an experienced,
versatile forward who will bring a veteran presence to our team."
Dyson appeared in just nine games for the Hornets last season, while Miller
played 14 years in the NBA and last year appeared in 15 games for the Wolves
before being sent to New Orleans for a pair of picks earlier this month.
The Sports Network