Eric Maynor traded to Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Eric Maynor along with Matt Harping’s contract in exchange for the rights to 2002 draft pick forward Peter Fehse. Fehse is in Germany with zero chance of ever playing in the NBA, but gives Utah much needed salary cap relief. The Thunder plan to allow insurance policies to pay the majority of Harpring’s salary.
Oklahoma City Waived Shaun Livingston and Mike Wilks to create space on the roster.
Eric Maynor revs up the PG depth for OKC. (Credit: dallythunder.com)
Eric Maynor has impressed this season and will secure long-term depth at the point guard behind Russell Westbrook. He averaged 18.5 PPG and 7.5 APG in 2 games as a replacement starter while Deron Williams was out, proving he is a viable option to step in should Westbrook go down with an injury.
This deal is a brilliant move by Sam Presti, whom dealt draft picks last year to acquire defensive stalwart Thabo Sefolosha from the Chicago Bulls. Presti is flexing his cap space to hand-pick key young talented components to build around Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Jeff Green.
The Maynor trade represents the first transaction for salary alleviation by Utah to offset matching Portland’s offer to Paul Millsap during the offseason.
Dumping Harpring’s salary removes $6 million off the books. It is unlikely Harpring will ever join the Oklahoma City thunder. He recently announced he wouldn’t pursue a comeback this year after dealing with infection in his leg after having surgery.
Utah will save up to $10 Million total from the deal.
This must come as a liberating start through Eric Maynor’s eyes. He was not going to get any significant run in Utah behind Deron Williams.
Look for Utah to continue wheeling and dealing, with Carlos Boozer or Mehmet Okur likely to be the next players traded to facilitate more salary cap room. With Chicago floundering wildly in the East, look for talks of Calros Boozer for Tyrus Thomas with a combination of leftover discussions to rekindle soon.
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Wed, Dec 23, 2009 by Adam Sedie
News, Opinions, Trades, Transactions