
NBA.net wrote:
Raptors Send Kleiza To Thunder In Three Player Deal
Stoudamire to Thunder, 2011 first rounder and Peterson To Raptors
By Ken Chalmers, NBA.com correspondantJanuary 9, 2011 - The Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to a trade that would send Lithuanian forward Linas Kleiza to the Thunder. In return, the Raptors will receive a 2011 first round draft pick (projected 26th) and the expiring contract of former Raptor Morris Peterson. The Thunder will also receive guard Salim Stoudamire.
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The Thunder, 25-12, are just a game behind Portland for the Northwest Division lead. However, underwhelming bench play and their lack of a good backup for Kevin Durant has yielded the need for a backup. Furthermore, Peterson is an expiring contract, but with the impending extensions of Durant and Jeff Green, they would have likely been unable to use their cap space. Kleiza gives them a young player who can be an excellent sixth man for years to come.
The Raptors signed Kleiza having believed that Hedo Turkoglu had been dealt to the Suns. With Turkoglu failing his physical, there was no longer a need for a small forward. Kleiza has averaged just 5.6 minutes per game since suffering a broken wrist, and the Raptors owed him $20 million over 4 years. They also receive Morris Peterson, a former fan favorite. Ultimately, the Raptors deal a guy who was rotting on their bench for an expiring contract with sentimental value and a late 20's draft pick. Stoudamire never played, and could be waived by the Thunder.
Overall, I like this deal a bit better for the Raptors. They not only undo their mistake of signing Kleiza, but get a draft pick out of it. The Thunder take on Kleiza, who should be a strong back-up for Durant, but may not be worth the long-term salary investment. They do become a deeper team however, and do not sacrifice their fleeting short-term cap space. Expect another move to come for OKC.Raptors Trade Grade: B+ | Thunder Trade Grade: B-
Why Mo-Pete's return is exciting.
Lamrock wrote:Was sad to see Salim go, but hopefully he'll get some PT in OKC (unlikely). Added a video of Mo-Pete's finest hour. Thrilled now, Sit?
Pretty much made this trade because I hated benching Kleiza (almost as much as I hated playing him), and wanted to improve my salary situation. Last deal of the season though.
Justine. wrote:IRL, Kleiza is leading Lithuania, but not in your story
Lamrock wrote:Mo's better than Iverson! (even though AI is leading Indiana to the playoffs here somehow) May have upped your clutch ratings if not for the "Spolier" fiasco.
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