The Bayou Bomber is Brooklyn bound.
Yesterday a report came out from Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski that the Kings and Nets were in discussions regarding a trade of Marcus Thornton for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans. Now multiple reports have come out in the last hour that the trade is nearing completion.
As of yet, no additional players or teams have been added to the deal.
Brooklyn-Sacramento nearing agreement on Jason Terry-Reggie Evans for Marcus Thornton deal, as Yahoo reported Tuesday. No picks or cash.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 19, 2014For Sacramento, this trade doesn't save that much money (about $956,000 next year), but it does break up Thornton's contract into two smaller pieces and also gives the Kings a couple of veterans on cheap deals that will both be expiring contracts next season. Terry can also act as a secondary ball handler in a pinch.
Thornton is having a career-worst year in almost every category, but Brooklyn must believe that he can return to his former self as a bench scorer surrounded by multiple veterans on a playoff team.
If this trade goes through as is, it's probably not the last move the Kings make before Thursday. At the very least I expect the Kings to trade Jimmer Fredette if only to get something of value for him before he leaves in Free Agency this offseason. Woj reported yesterday that the Kings have had discussions with several teams regarding Fredette, and in Sports Illustrated's trade breakdown today, they mentioned the Wizards as one of the teams interested. Jason Thompson and Carl Landry will also likely be shopped, but their long term deals will make it tough to move them.
UPDATE 10:36 AM: Per David Aldridge and Adrian Wojnarowski, the deal structure is in place but there is still some slight haggling on the Kings possibly sending a future 2nd round pick to the Nets. Here's a link to the Kings current future pick obligations.
UPDATE 10:40 AM:SportsCenter is reporting the trade has been agreed to in principle.
UPDATE: 10:44 AM:
Nets, Kings complete trade of Marcus Thenron for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans. No picks involved.
— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) February 19, 2014UPDATE 2:10 PM: The Kings have sent out a press release on the trade.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. ---- The Sacramento Kings today acquired guard Jason Terry and forward Reggie Evans from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for guard Marcus Thornton, according to Kings General Manager Pete D'Alessandro.
"Adding Jason and Reggie provides our roster with toughness and veteran leadership that will help this team continue to grow," said D'Alessandro. "They bring a wealth of NBA experience to Sacramento that will undoubtedly make a positive impact on our younger players. We also thank Marcus for his contributions and wish him great success going forward."
Terry, a 15-year NBA veteran, has accrued career averages of 15.4 points (.446 FG%, .379 3pt%, .846 FT%), 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.31 steals and 32.5 minutes per game in 1136 contests with the Atlanta Hawks (1999-2004), Dallas Mavericks (2004-2012), Boston Celtics (2012-13) and Nets (2013-14).
A member of the 2011 NBA Champion Mavericks, Terry was also named the league's 2009 Sixth Man of the Year after posting one of his best campaigns as a professional, registering 19.6 points (.463 FG%, .366 3pt%, .880 FT%), 2.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.32 steals in 74 games for Dallas. Additionally, the 6-2 guard touts 93 playoff games on his resume, including 21 appearances during the Mavs run toward a championship when he tallied 17.5 points (.478 FG%, .442 3pt%, .843 FT%), 1.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Terry won a National Championship at the University of Arizona in 1997 and two seasons later earned First-Team All American and Pac-10 Player of the Year honors before being selected 10th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft.
In Evans, the Kings receive a veteran known for his rebounding, hustle and tenacious style of play. Through 12 NBA seasons, the 6-10 forward is averaging 4.0 points (.465 FG%, .521 FT%) and 7.2 rebounds per game in 738 career contests with the Seattle Supersonics (2002-03 - 2005-06), Denver Nuggets (2005-06 - 2006-07), Philadelphia 76ers (2007-08 - 2008-09), Toronto Raptors (2009-10 - 2010-11), L.A. Clippers (2011-12) and Brooklyn Nets (2012-13 - 2013-14).
Acquired by Sacramento in February 2011, Thornton was in his fourth season with the Kings after spending two campaigns with New Orleans prior to being selected 43rd overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. Through 315 career games, he is averaging 13.5 points (.432 FG%, .359 3pt%, .830 FT%), 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.3 minutes per game. Thornton twice matched his career-high in a Kings uniform, registering 42 points on Mar. 14, 2011 versus Golden State and matching the output this season on Jan. 24 against the Indiana Pacers.
