There are other sides to this story, two of ‘em in fact, to the three-way deal that is helping to put Andrei Kirilenko in Minnesota . The New Orleans Hornets have traded for restricted free agent Robin Lopez at the rate of three years and $15.3 million, while the Timberwolves are sending former lottery flameout Wesley Johnson and a super-protected first round pick (originally culled from Memphis, sent through Houston) to Phoenix. Hakim Warrick will also head to the Hornets.
Seems like a lot of movement, considering this weather. I hope these guys are drinking water.
It also seems like a bit of a head scratcher for the Suns, who apparently are going a bit rudderless after losing out on signing Eric Gordon and retaining Steve Nash. It’s also worrying, to me, that these are the sorts of machinations small market teams have to focus on, even with the increased attention on the soon to be super-punitive luxury tax. Clearing up an offseason’s worth of cap space to lure Andrei Kirilenko to an eight figure deal? Having to let go of Robin Lopez for a middling first round pick? Watching a summer go to waste because other teams decided to match offers? Ugh.
Jul 272012