NBA notebook: Monroe signs with Celtics; Bulls trade Mirotic to Pelicans

UNB! Sports Staff Report

Greg Monroe will sign a one-year, $5 million deal with the Bostpn Celtics, league sources tell ESPN.

The New Orleans Pelicans could only offer Monroe $2.2 million. They also offered Monroe the chance to be the starting center, but Monroe will join the Celtics with fewer assurances on playing time.

Bulls trade Mirotic to Pelicans

According to ESPN, the Chicago Bulls traded Nikola Mirotic to the Pelicans on Thursday.

New Orleans is planning to guarantee the $12.5M salary of Mirotic in the 2018-19 season.

In return, the Bulls acquire Omer Asik, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson, and a 2018 first-rounder with "minima" protections.

Sources also told ESPN that the Bulls may waive Allen. They may keep Nelson, according to report after a previous one that said the Bulls wouldn't. 

Pistons land Blake Griffin from Clippers in blockbuster deal

(AP) -- The Detroit Pistons dramatically shook their struggling roster by acquiring one of the NBA's top players in Blake Griffin in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The deal for the five-time All-Star forward was announced early Tuesday, giving Detroit a player who has been the face of the Clippers but whose career has been undercut by injuries.

Detroit sent forward Tobias Harris, guard Avery Bradley and center Boban Marjanovic to Los Angeles, with the Clippers also receiving draft picks. Detroit also acquired forward Brice Johnson and center Willie Reed.

"We are serious about winning, and this is a major move to improve our team," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement. "Blake Griffin is one of the NBA's elite players, and when you get an opportunity to add that kind of talent, you take it."

The Pistons did not yet say if Griffin would be available for Tuesday night's home game against Cleveland.

The 28-year-old Griffin is averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 33 games this season, but the Clippers have been plagued by injuries and are ninth in the Western Conference standings.

Detroit is scuffling as well. The Pistons have lost eight straight heading into Tuesday night's game against Cleveland.

"Needed a night to digest and reflect on what happened...." Griffin tweeted. "From being a (hashtag)1 pick, to Lob City, to six straight Playoff appearances, I am so proud to have been part of the success of the Clippers organization. LA has been my home since I started in the league and I will be forever grateful to the city for embracing me and supporting me. To the fans, you have been awesome every step of the way. Thank you for years of support.

"Now I'm ready for the next chapter, getting to work and helping the Detroit Pistons make a run in the Eastern Conference."

Last July, Griffin agreed to a $171 million, five-year deal, ending a brief flirtation with free agency. He told his teammates, coach Doc Rivers and owner Steve Ballmer, "I want my legacy to be a Clipper."

The deal didn't include a no-trade clause for the second-leading scorer in franchise history with 10,863 points.

Griffin gives Detroit's frontcourt another standout alongside Andre Drummond, but it also represents a clear change in course from the roster the Pistons had assembled. Detroit acquired Bradley in a trade with Boston last offseason, but he's in the final season of his contract. Harris has been impressive for the Pistons this season, shooting a career-best 41 percent from 3-point range.

"The move is not without risk. We gave up a lot to get him, including Tobias Harris - one of the hardest-working, highest-character players I know - and two high-quality young men in Avery Bradley and Boban Marjanovic," Gores said. "But we are very excited to bring Blake Griffin to Detroit. He is a great fit for our team and will bring a combination of toughness and athleticism that will elevate our team and excite our fans."

Detroit's season was looking promising until a late-December injury to point guard Reggie Jackson. The Pistons have stumbled while he's been out with a sprained right ankle, and the team is facing the prospect of missing the playoffs in its first season at its new downtown arena.

Detroit's next six games are at home, so the Pistons will have a chance to turn this season around - and an opportunity to build for a future with both Griffin and Drummond.

"His presence will help us offensively and his size gives us another rebounder and weapon in the paint," said Stan Van Gundy, Detroit's coach and team president. "Willie Reed and Brice Johnson are two young players that give us size and depth."

For the Clippers, moving Griffin continues a makeover of a franchise that has never made it past the second round of the playoffs.

The Clippers traded All-Star point guard Chris Paul to Houston last summer. He had been credited with bringing respectability to the team that was once the laughingstock of the league. Without Paul, Los Angeles won its first four games to open the season, and then lost nine of its next 11. The team is one game above .500 going into Tuesday night's game against Portland.

"Blake is one of the best players ever to wear a Clippers jersey. We want to express our gratitude and respect for everything he has done for this team and the city of Los Angeles," said Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations. "This was a very difficult decision, but we ultimately felt it was appropriate for the franchise."

Paul's replacement, Patrick Beverley, has missed the entire season after right knee surgery. Also missing time have been DeAndre Jordan, Danilo Gallinari, Austin Rivers and Milos Teodosic.

Yet owner Steve Ballmer remains optimistic.

"While change is hard, my confidence in our front office, led by Lawrence Frank and Michael Winger, along with the sage counsel of Jerry West, has never been higher," he said in a statement. "I believe today, more than ever, in our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship."

Los Angeles receives a protected first-round draft choice and a second-round pick from the Pistons.

The Clippers drafted Griffin first overall out of Oklahoma in 2009. However, he missed the 2009-10 season after surgery on his broken left kneecap. Griffin missed 21 games last season and 47 in 2015-16 because of injuries.

As a rookie, he was an All-Star, won the slam dunk contest and was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

He has averaged 21.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his career.

"Blake Griffin had a tremendous impact on this organization and his legacy within the community of Los Angeles will be permanent," Balmer said. "It was a pleasure getting to know and cheer for Blake. I wish him, as well as Brice and Willie, the best of luck."

Even before the Pistons announced the deal, there was plenty of reaction on social media Monday night. Harris had a message on his accounts thanking Detroit for its support. Griffin's Twitter account had its own message with no words - just an image of actor Will Smith with a surprised expression on his face.

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AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Report: Bucks to acquire G Bledsoe from Suns

The Milwaukee Bucks are close to acquiring disgruntled point guard Eric Bledsoe from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for center Greg Monroe and a first-round draft pick, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

Bledsoe has been kept away from the Suns since being sent home by general manager Ryan McDonough on Oct. 23, one day after the 27-year-old tweeted, "I don't wanna be here." That tweet came hours before Phoenix fired coach Earl Watson and replaced him with interim coach Jay Triano.

Bledsoe was fined $10,000 by the NBA that tweet, McDonough told AZCentral.com on Sunday.

Bledsoe later tried to put that tweet in context, although McDonough wasn't buying the excuse.

"He said he was at a hair salon. ... I didn't believe that to be true," McDonough said last month.

Bledsoe is averaging 15.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists in three games for the Suns this season -- his fifth with the team. He is entering his eighth NBA season and owns career averages of 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Bledsoe would join a Bucks backcourt with 2016 Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, Matthew Dellavedova and Jason Terry.

Monroe is averaging 6.8 points and 5.0 rebounds in five games this season. The 27-year-old is averaging 14.0 points and 8.7 rebounds in 543 career contests with Detroit and Milwaukee since being selected by the Pistons with the seventh overall pick of the 2010 draft.

Knicks trade Anthony to Thunder

The New York Knicks agreed to trade 10-time All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to multiple reports Saturday.

The Thunder will send center Enes Kanter, forward Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick via the Chicago Bulls to the Knicks, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 33-year-old Anthony will waive his no-trade clause and his $8.1 trade kicker to accommodate the deal, according to ESPN.

A trade call is scheduled for Monday to finalize the deal with the league office, sources told The Vertical.

Anthony previously told the Knicks he would only waive his no-trade clause for the Thunder, Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Anthony joins MVP Russell Westbrook and newly acquired All-Star forward Paul George in a reshaped and Western Conference contender. Both players reportedly played a significant role in recruiting Anthony to waive his no-trade clause for Oklahoma City.

The Thunder are making a major commitment with the Anthony deal, incurring $27 million in luxury tax for the 2017-18 season. He has two years and $54 million left on his contract, including a player option for $27.9 million on the 2018-19 season.

Talks between Thunder general manager Sam Presti and Knicks GM Scott Perry intensified in 24 hours before Saturday's agreement, league sources told ESPN.

Anthony could take part in the start of Thunder training camp on Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

The Knicks stated publicly on Friday that Anthony would return to the team for the start of training camp, but an increased level of urgency began over the weekend, The Vertical reported.

Anthony had a no-trade clause as part of the maximum contract he signed in 2014 and declined a trade from the Knicks throughout the turmoil of Phil Jackson's tenure as president of basketball operations.

Anthony averaged 22.4 points on 43.3 percent shooting along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 74 games with the Knicks last season, his seventh in New York and 14th in the NBA.

Cavs trade G Irving to Celtics for G Thomas, first-round pick

The Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to trade All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics in exchange for a package led by fellow All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas on Tuesday.

The teams confirmed the Celtics also sent forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic and the rights to the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first round pick to the Cavaliers.

"Kyrie is one of the best scorers in the NBA," Celtics president Danny Ainge said in a prepared statement. "He has proven that on the biggest stage, the NBA Finals, the last three years. He's been an NBA Champion, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and a four-time All-Star. For all he's accomplished, we think his best years are ahead of him."

Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman said in a statement, "This trade needed to include both players and assets that we felt strongly could help us continue to compete for championships, and we believe it does. We look forward to Isaiah, Jae and Ante joining us and also felt that the unprotected first-round pick in the deal was very important for us and our future as well."

Irving, who made headlines earlier in the summer when it leaked that he had requested a trade, moves on from a Cavaliers squad that reached the NBA Finals in each of the past three seasons and won a championship in 2016.

"On behalf of the entire franchise, I want to thank Kyrie Irving for the six impressive years he spent in Cleveland wearing the Cavaliers uniform," Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said in a statement. "From the moment we won the 2011 NBA lottery that put us in position to draft Kyrie to the 'The Shot' that sealed our first NBA championship and all of the electrifying play that made him a joy to watch, 'excitement' was always in the air when it came to Kyrie Irving. We wish him and his family well as he moves on to the next phase of his NBA career."

Irving joins a Celtics squad that finished first in the Eastern Conference during the regular season last season but was bounced by the Cavaliers in five games the Eastern Conference finals. Thomas missed the last three games of the series with a hip injury, and he might not be ready for the start of training camp.

"Isaiah and Jae have been a huge part of our success," Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said in a statement. "Isaiah's playoff performance under very difficult circumstances will live on in history, and we wish them all the best."

Irving, 25, averaged a career-high 25.2 points on 47.3 percent shooting and 5.8 assists last season. He has three years and $60 million remaining on his contract.

Thomas, a 28-year-old who finished third in the NBA with an average of 28.9 points in 2016-17, will be a free agent after the 2017-18 campaign.

Irving was the first overall pick in the 2011 draft while Thomas was the last pick, 60th, in the same draft.

"Isaiah embodied what it meant to be a Celtic," Ainge said. "He captured fans' hearts not only with his spirit, but his personality. Jae's toughness was contagious for our team. He improved his skills each year, but it's his energy and fight that will be remembered. We wish them and their families the very best."

The Celtics and Cavaliers open the season in Cleveland on Oct. 17.

Nets acquire Crabbe from Blazers for Nicholson

(TSX / STATS) -- The Brooklyn Nets acquired swingman Allen Crabbe from the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday in exchange for forward Andrew Nicholson.

Crabbe averaged a career-best 10.7 points last season, his fourth with Portland since he was drafted in the second round by Cleveland in 2013.

The 6-foot-6 Crabbe, who also shot a career-best 44.4 percent from 3-point range last season, averaged 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 28 1/2 minutes of action.

The former University of California product has a career scoring average of 8.3 points in his four seasons with the Trail Blazers, also reaching double digits at 10.3 points during the 2015-16 season.

The 6-foot-9 Nicholson was acquired by the Nets from Washington during last season. He averaged 3.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10 games with Brooklyn and 2.5 points in 28 games with the Wizards.

A first-round pick of the Orlando Magic in 2012, Nicholson had his most productive offensive season as a rookie, averaging 7.8 points. He is averaging 6.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in five seasons with the Magic, Wizards and Nets.

Heat send McRoberts, pick to Mavs for Hammons

The Miami Heat completed a trade sending forward Josh McRoberts, a 2023 second-round draft pick and cash considerations to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for center AJ Hammons, the teams announced Friday.

McRoberts, 30, averaged 4.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 22 games with Miami last season. He joined the Heat as a free agent on July 14, 2014.

In 10 NBA seasons, McRoberts has career averages of 5.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 431 games between the Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers Orlando Magic and Charlotte.

Hammons, 24, was selected with the 46th overall pick of the Mavericks in the 2016 draft. He averaged 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds over 22 games during his rookie season.

Pistons land G Bradley, renounce rights to Caldwell-Pope

The Boston Celtics traded guard Avery Bradley to the Detroit Pistons for forward Marcus Morris, the team announced Friday.

The deal creates the salary-cap space the Celtics needed to sign All-Star free agent forward Gordon Hayward to a four-year, $128 million maximum contract, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Celtics also will send a 2019 second-round pick to the Pistons.

With Bradley headed to Motown, the Pistons withdrew their qualifying offer and renounced the rights to restricted free-agent guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He will become an unrestricted free agent.

Detroit had been reluctant to meet Caldwell-Pope's $25 million-plus asking price. The Brooklyn Nets plan to make an aggressive play for Caldwell-Pope, league sources told ESPN.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers also were pursing Bradley in the past 24 hours, league sources told ESPN.

The 26-year-old Bradley, a two-time All-Defensive Team player, averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds and shot 39 percent from 3-point range last season. In seven seasons with the Celtics, he averaged 12.1 points and 3.1 rebounds.

Morris, 27, played six NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and Pistons. He averaged 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 79 games with the Pistons last season.

Hayward, 27, chose the Celtics earlier this week over the Miami Heat and Utah Jazz, the team with which he played his first seven seasons since he was drafted No. 9 overall in 2010.

Hayward averaged a career-best 21.9 points and 5.4 rebounds to go along with 3.5 assists last season for the Jazz, who made their first playoff appearance since 2012.

Caldwell-Pope averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and a career-high 2.5 assists in 76 games last season. He has averaged 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 314 career contests since being selected by the Pistons with the eighth overall pick of the 2013 draft.

Lopez officially traded from Nets to Lakers for Russell, Mozgov

Brook Lopez played in three arenas, for nine coaches and with numerous teammates.

He also survived numerous trade rumors.

On Thursday, his nine-year career with the Brooklyn Nets officially ended when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard D'Angelo Russell and center Timofey Mozgov.

Russell was the second pick of the Lakers two years ago out of Ohio State. He averaged 13.2 points as a rookie and improved to 15.6 points last season as the Lakers won 26 games.

"We are extremely excited to welcome D'Angelo and Timofey to our Brooklyn Nets family," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement released by the team. "D'Angelo is a versatile young guard with a bright future and we are enthusiastic about continuing his development along with our young nucleus, while Timofey will provide a veteran presence who can contribute on both ends of the floor. Both are great fits within Kenny's system."

Also going to the Lakers are the rights to forward Kyle Kuzma, who was drafted with the 27th pick.

The Nets drafted Lopez with the 10th overall pick in 2008 when the team still played in the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. He played two seasons in Newark before the team moved to Brooklyn in 2012.

"We would also like to thank Brook for all of his contributions to the team over his nine seasons with the Nets," Marks said. "As the franchise's all-time leading scorer and longest-tenured player, he has been an exemplary member of the organization and always represented the Nets with class both on the court and in the community. We wish Brook and his family nothing but success in the future."

Lopez appeared in 562 games with the Nets and averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 32.2 minutes. Last season, he averaged 20.5 points and expanded his game to include 3-point shooting while becoming the longest tenured-player in franchise history.

He was in rumors when the Nets tried to get Dwight Howard from Orlando in 2012 and again in 2015 when the team attempted to get Reggie Jackson from Oklahoma City

"To Brook Lopez, a huge personal thank you for your integrity and commitment to the team over the last nine years," Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said in a statement.

Lopez also surpassed Buck Williams as the franchise scoring leader with 10,444 points, and he is the Nets' career leader in blocked shots with 972.

Mozgov made his NBA debut with the New York Knicks in 2010 and was sent to Denver in February 2011 in the Carmelo Anthony deal. He won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.

In 423 games with the Knicks, Denver, Cleveland and the Lakers, Mozgov has averages of seven points and five rebounds. In the first season of four-year, $64 million contract, the 30-year-old averaged 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 54 games.

Kuzma averaged 10.1 points in 96 games during three seasons with Utah. Last season, he led the Utes in scoring (16.4 points) and rebounding (9.3).

Timberwolves acquire All-Star Butler from Bulls

Jimmy Butler is being reunited with Tom Thibodeau.

Moments before the Los Angeles Lakers made Lonzo Ball the second pick of Thursday's NBA draft, multiple outlets reported Butler was going to be dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed the trade later in the evening.

Butler was dealt for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the rights to Lauri Markkanen. Also going to Minnesota are the rights to Justin Patton, who was picked at No. 16 by the Bulls.

Butler was the 30th overall pick by the Bulls in 2011 out of Marquette. He averaged a career-high 23.9 points last season as the Bulls were 41-41 and qualified for the postseason as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Thibodeau coached Butler from 2011 to 2015 before being fired. He joined the Timberwolves last season with the dual title of coach and head of basketball operations.

Last season, the teams worked on a potential deal for Butler, but talks collapsed based on the belief that Chicago's demands were too high. Instead, the Bulls dealt Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks for Robin Lopez and hoped to regain some of the success they experienced in Thibodeau's tenure.

By obtaining Butler, the Timberwolves are taking on the final three seasons of the $95 million deal he signed after the 2014-15 season. They had approximately $24 million available on their salary cap after waiving injured center Nikola Pekovic on Tuesday.

LaVine is coming off a torn ACL but was showing steady improvement. Before getting hurt, LaVine shot 46 percent and averaged a career-high 18.9 points and shooting a career-best 45.9 percent.

Since entering the league as Minnesota's first-round pick from UCLA in 2014, LaVine has averaged 13.7 points per game and shot 44.5 percent.

Dunn was Minnesota's first-round pick last season and averaged 3.8 points on 37.7 percent shooting in 78 games.

Markanen averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his only season at Arizona. The 7-footer became the highest-ever draft pick from Finland.

Patton averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. The 7-footer shot 57.3 percent and was the Big East freshman of the year.

Celtics, 76ers finalize deal to swap top picks

The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers made their agreed-upon trade official Monday, a deal that will see the teams swap the Nos. 1 and 3 picks in Thursday night's NBA Draft.

The 76ers acquired the top overall pick from Boston in exchange for their No. 3 selection and a future first-round pick, according to statements released by both teams.

The Celtics and 76ers had agreed on the parameters of a deal on Saturday night after Philadelphia held a workout with point guard Markelle Fultz, who will become the fourth No. 1 overall pick in franchise history by the 76ers on Thursday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of this trade, which puts us in the enviable position of selecting first overall in consecutive draft years," Philadelphia president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said. "History suggests that No. 1 has the greatest odds of producing franchise-level talent and we are confident that this year's draft class has that very potential. Thursday night will see us take another significant step toward building a successful and sustainable basketball program."

Boston, with leading scorer Isaiah Thomas already manning the point guard position, was equally thrilled to drop down two spots and receive what they expect to be a high first-round pick in either 2018 or 2019.

"We're thrilled to be able to select what we expect be an impact player with the third pick in this year's very talented draft class, while also adding a highly valuable future asset as we continue to build towards Banner 18," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said.

Boston will receive the 2018 first-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers -- if that selection falls between the No. 2 to No. 5 range. Otherwise, the Celtics will have a choice of first-rounders in 2019 -- either from Sacramento or Philadelphia, whichever pick is higher.

Philadelphia will pair Fultz, a high-scoring point guard out of the University of Washington, with Ben Simmons, last year's No. 1 overall pick who missed the entire season with a foot injury.

In his only season with Washington, the 6-foot-5, 186-pound Fultz averaged 23.2 points and 5.9 assists. He shot 47.6 percent, averaged along with 5.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals over 25 games during his freshman season with the Huskies, who posted a 9-22 record.

Boston, meanwhile, could potentially own the draft rights to seven first-round selections over the next three seasons.

The Celtics have been linked with either Josh Jackson of Kansas or Jayson Tatum of Duke at No. 3, although multiple media outlets reported the team may be willing to deal the pick.

Lonzo Ball of UCLA is expected to go No. 2 to the Lakers, although the sides have yet to reach agreement on a deal. Ball hosted a second workout for the Lakers on Friday.

Mavericks get Nerlens Noel from 76ers for 2017 1st-rounder, Justin Andefson, Andrew Bogut

The Dallas Mavericks reached agreement on a deal to acquire Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel, league sources told Yahoo!'s The Vertical on Thursday.

The Mavericks will send a protected 2017 first-round pick, forward Justin Anderson and center Andrew Bogut to the 76ers for Noel, league sources said.

NBA Trade Deadline Rumors & Notes

1:09pm ET (Update #1)

• Celtics are interested in Bogut from 76ers if he's not bought out by the end of the day.

• 76ers indeed working on another landing spot for Andrew Bogut, per source, after getting him, Justin Anderson, 1st from Mavs for Nerlens Noel.

• Nets pick has entered the conversation between the Pacers and Celtics for Paul George. BOS is worried about George's opt out after 17-18.

• Cavaliers are "eyeing" Bogut from 76ers as a potential buyout candidate, while Boston may make a move for him.

• 76ers pushing hard to move Bogut by today's deadline. Teams involved are Cleveland and Boston, Cleveland would prefer buyout.

• Thunder have shown interest in Taj Gibson.

• Suns are looking to move P.J. Tucker and Brandon Knight today. Raptors inquired about Tucker. Mavs inquired about Knight

• The Mavericks would like to do a long-term deal with Noel in the summer.

• Suns have offers on the table for Tucker.

Reports: Nets Trade Bogdanovic, McCullough To Wizards

via CBS New York.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The Nets are reportedly sending forwards Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough to the Washington Wizards in a trade.

Brooklyn will receive a 2017 first-round draft pick, forward Andrew Nicholson and guard Marcus Thornton, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

The trade now gives the rebuilding Nets two picks in the first round, although an earlier swap with the Celtics means that despite owning the NBA’s worst recoed (9-47) both of those selections will likely be in the 20s.

Bogdanovic joined the Nets as a rookie in 2014-15. This season, the 27-year-old Croatian is averaging 14.2 points and 3.6 rebounds. He has started 54 games.

The Nets drafted McCullough in the first round in 2015 out of Syracuse. He has played in 14 games this season, averaging 2.5 points and 1.2 rebounds. The Nets announced earlier Wednesday that McCullough had been assigned to their D-League affiliate.

Nicholson was a first-round pick by the Magic in 2012 who signed a four-year, $26 million contract with Washington last summer. The 6-foot-9 reserve power forward has played in 27 games, averaging 2.5 points and 1.2 rebounds.

This is the second time in three years that Brooklyn has traded for Thornton. He was acquired in a February 2014 deal with the Kings. The 29-year-old journeyman shooting guard has played in 33 games this season, starting one. He is averaging 6.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

The NBA trade deadline is 3 p.m. Thursday.

Kings trade DeMarcus Cousins to Pelicans; Kings Acquire Hield, Evans, Galloway, and 2017 Draft Selections

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings acquired guards Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and 2017 first and second-round draft selections from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for forward/center DeMarcus Cousins and forward Omri Casspi, it was announced today by Kings Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac.

“It was time for a change and I decided this was the best direction for the organization, said Divac. “Winning begins with culture and character matters. With the upcoming draft class set to be one of the strongest in a decade, this trade will allow us to build the depth needed for a talented and developing roster moving forward. We thank DeMarcus for his contributions and wish him all the best in New Orleans. The fans in Sacramento are the best in the world and we are all committed to building a team that will continue to make Sacramento proud.”

A 6-5 guard and 2015-16 recipient of the John R. Wooden Award bestowed on the nation’s best collegiate basketball player, Hield joins the Kings in his rookie campaign after New Orleans tabbed him with the sixth overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma. In 57 contests with the Pelicans this season, he accrued averages of 8.6 points (.392 FG%, .369 3pt%, .879 FT%), 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 20.2 minutes per game in 57 contests (started 37).

Evans returns to Sacramento where he earned 2009 Rookie of the Year honors after being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. An eight-year league veteran, he has amassed 16.3 points (.444 FG%, .289 3pt%, .757 FT%), 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 32.5 minutes per game in 459 NBA games (started 370). The Memphis Tiger enjoyed his most prolific seasons in a Kings jersey, registering 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 35 minutes per contest in 257 games (started 247).

In his third NBA campaign, Galloway averaged 8.6 points (.374 FG%, .377 3pt%, .769 FT%), 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20.4 minutes per contest in 55 games for New Orleans this season. The St. Joseph’s alum previously spent parts of two seasons with the New York Knicks, where he saw action in all 82 games in 2015-16.

Cousins departs the Kings ranked prominently in Sacramento-era annals as the leader in career rebounds (5,060), double-doubles (278) and free throws attempted (3,546) second in points scored (9,894), free throws made (2,604), and blocks (577), third in steals (661), field goals made (3,557) and attempted (7,747) and fifth in games played (470). Recently named to his third consecutive Western Conference All-Star team, he currently ranks fourth in the league in scoring, 11th in rebounds and 10th in double-doubles while averaging 27.8 points (.451 FG%, .354 3pt%, .770 FT%), 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks and 34.4 minutes per contest in 55 games (all starts).

Originally drafted with the fifth overall selection in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins posted 21.1 points (.459 FG%, .322 3pt%, .734 FT%), 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.2 blocks and 31.9 minutes per contest in 470 games with Sacramento (started 448).

Casspi was selected 23rd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft and played two seasons in Sacramento (2009-10 – 2010-11) with stops in Cleveland (2011-12 – 2012-13) and Houston (2013-14) before returning to the Kings prior to the 2014-15 season. Limited by injury this year, the 6-9 forward averaged 5.9 points (.453 FG%, .379 3pt%, .571 FT%), 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18 minutes per game in 22 contests (started 2).

Additionally, Divac announced that the team has waived forward Matt Barnes. A 14-year NBA veteran, the UCLA alum is averaging 7.6 points (.384 FG%, .327 3pt%, .758 FT%), 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 25.3 minutes per contest in 54 games (started 13) for Sacramento after joining the team prior to the start of this season.

AP Source: Sacramento Kings have agreed to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) AP Source: Sacramento Kings have agreed to trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Report: Magic trade Serge Ibaka to Raptors

Something needed to be done. And after weeks of seeing their defensive efficiency take an absolute beating, the Toronto Raptors hope they have found a solution by reportedly trading for Serge Ibaka.

The Raptors are sending a first-round Draft pick and swingman Terrence Ross to the Orlando Magic in the deal, first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski at The Vertical.

Toronto has struggled to find a perfect fit at the power forward position, and the addition of Ibaka would seem to solve that. An athletic defender with the ability to knock down spot-up jumpers, Ibaka would seem to be an ideal compliment to the play of Toronto’s dynamic backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

Ibaka is not the same defensive presence he was earlier in his career. He spent the first seven seasons of his career alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City before being traded to Orlando over the summer. But he remains a physical presence capable of being an impact player around the rim on both ends of the floor.

With free agency looming for Ibaka this summer, recent reports suggested the Magic were concerned with their ability to re-sign Ibaka to a long-term deal. Toronto reportedly hopes they will be able to convince him to re-sign.

Ibaka’s addition to a Raptors team that battled Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals last season also gives Jonas Valanciunas some security in the frontcourt. Toronto played much of the 2016 postseason without Valanciunas, who suffered an ankle injury in the first round against Miami.

Ibaka, who is averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, is just 27. So the Raptors are getting a player who fits perfectly with their core of All-Stars DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Valanciunas.

Whether or not he pushes them back into the mix for that No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference standings behind Cleveland, however, remains to be seen.

- NBA.com Staff Report

Nuggets Acquire Mason Plumlee and 2018 Second Round Pick

DENVER (Feb. 13, 2017) – The Denver Nuggets have acquired center Mason Plumlee, a 2018 second round draft pick and cash consideration from Portland in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkić and a 2017 protected first round pick via Memphis, General Manager and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Plumlee, 6-11, 245, appeared in 54 games for Portland this season, averaging 11.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 28.1 minutes per game. Over four seasons, Plumlee has appeared in 288 career games (203 starts) for Brooklyn and Portland, averaging 9.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 23.0 minutes per game.

The 26-year-old played a key role in Portland’s playoff run last season, starting all 11 games and averaging 7.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 27.8 minutes per game. The Duke University product also won a Gold Medal alongside Nuggets forwards Kenneth Faried at the FIBA World Cup with Team USA in 2014. The Indiana native was drafted by Brooklyn with the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Nurkić, 7-0, 280, appeared in 139 games (59 starts) in three seasons with Denver, averaging 7.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.06 blocks in 17.7 minutes per game. He was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and was acquired by Denver along with Gary Harris in a draft night trade with the Chicago Bulls.

Plumlee will wear #24 and the Nuggets roster currently stands at 15 players.

- Denver Nuggets

Cavs trade center Chris Andersen and cash to Hornets

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded center Chris Andersen and cash considerations to Charlotte for a protected second round pick on Monday.

Andersen, who signed with the Cavaliers as a free agent on July 21, appeared in 12 games this season with averages of 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Mavs reportedly trade for Bogut, sign Barnes

The Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors on Monday reportedly agreed to a trade that will send Andrew Bogut to the Mavericks.

The Warriors reportedly we t through with the trafe to save cap space, a source said,

The trade can't be officially completed until the league moratorium ends July 7.

Also, ESPN sources say Dallas and unrestricted free agent-to-be Harrison Barnes struck a verbal agreement on a four-year, $94 million deal on Monday as well.