In the latest twist in trade chatter, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Nets are interested in Kings wing Marcus Thornton. Woj reports that the Nets are interested in flipping Jason Terry and Reggie Evans for Thornton.
Sacramento and Brooklyn discussing a deal centered on Marcus Thornton for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 18, 2014Later, Woj noted that talks have been ongoing, and are expected to continue.
Talks on the deal have gathered momentum in recent days, sources told Yahoo Sports, and are expected to continue until Thursday's trade deadline.
He also noted that the length of Jarrett Jack's contract makes a proposed Jack-for-Terry deal unlikely.
Brooklyn has discussed a deal involving Terry for Cleveland's Jarrett Jack, too, but sources tell Yahoo Sports that is an unlikely scenario based on the length of Jack's contract, which guarantees a total of $12.6 million in the final two years of his deal through the 2015-16 season
Woj noted that by the Nets going after Thornton, they are not out of the Jordan Hill sweepstakes.
A potential deal with Sacramento wouldn't preclude Nets from also completing a deal with Lakers to absorb Jordan Hill, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 18, 2014Thornton has $8 million coming his way this season then is fully guaranteed $8.5 million next season. After that, Thornton comes off the books. Thornton is 26 years old and for his career has averaged 13 points per game on 43% shooting from the floor, a shade under 36% from beyond the arc, but only one assist per game. Thornton has averaged 21 points per game in his half-year stint with the Kings in 2011, he also played 38 minutes per game.
This year, he's having the worst year of his career, putting up only 8.3 points and shooting barely above 30 percent from deep. Thornton has the reputation as a gunner and isn't a strong defender. Terry and Evans make a combined $7.4 million this year. A straight-up deal would thus save the Nets more than $3 million in luxury tax and open up another roster spot. The Nets have had interest in Thornton at various points in his six-year career.
One thing is for sure, the Nets, who were thought to be conservative at this year's deadline, are quite aggressive and looking to improve right now.
- Kings, Nets engaged in trade discussions - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo! Sports
- Report: Kings and Nets discussing Marcus Thornton for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans deal - Sactown Royalty
