After several days of speculation and hangups with league rules, the Phoenix Suns have completed a trade that involves the New Orleans Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves. As a part of the deal, the Suns send center Robin Lopez, forward Hakim Warrick and cash to the New Orleans Hornets and the 2014 second round pick they acquired from the Lakers to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Suns then receiver in return swingman Wesley Johnson and a protected first round pick from the Timberwolves and the contracts of Brad Miller and Jerome Dyson.
Johnson was the fourth pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. The 25-year-old owns career averages of 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 144 games (127 starts). Johnson, who boasts a 7-1 wingspan, just concluded a successful Las Vegas Summer League in which he averaged 20.5 points while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor, including 45.0 percent from three-point range. A three-year collegiate performer at Iowa State (2006-08) and Syracuse (2009-10), Johnson averaged 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, and was a finalist for the Naismith Trophy (NCAA Player of the Year) in his lone season with the Orange.
This deal gives Phoenix additional flexibility for the future. It leaves them with about $14 million dollars in cap space for the 2013-14 season.
As a result of moving Lopez, Phoenix will now seek a backup center to starter Marcin Gortat.
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