Timberwolves head coach/president of basketball operations Flip Saunders is wheeling and dealing today.
First, Saunders traded guards Mo Williams and Troy Daniels to the Charlotte Hornets for shooting guard Gary Neal and a future second-round draft pick, according to Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.
Charlotte has acquired guards Mo Williams and Troy Daniels for Gary Neal and a second-round pick, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2015
Charlotte's determined to make playoffs. Williams gives them chance to bridge until Walker return — and no longer play Stephenson at point.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2015
Williams, who is averaging 12.3 points and 6.5 assists per game this season, set a Wolves franchise record and a NBA season high with 52 points on Jan. 13 against the Indiana Pacers.
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Neal, like Williams, will be a free agent at the end of the season. Canis Hoopus says Neal has been a productive 3-point shooter who can play both guard positions. However, he’s averaging only 9.6 points and shooting a dismal 29.3 percent on 3-pointers this season.
#Twolves coach Flip Saunders said Gary Neal is "proven scorer, three-point shooter." Neal is 38 percent career from deep, but 29 this year.
— Andy Greder (@twolvesnow) February 10, 2015
Wolves aquire Payne from Hawks
The next move Saunders made was dealing a future first-round draft pick to the Atlanta Hawks for rookie forward Adriean Payne.
In a second trade today, the #Twolves have acquired forward/center Adreian Payne from Atlanta for a protected future first round draft pick.
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 10, 2015
TRADE UPDATE: We have acquired a future first-round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Adreian Payne.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 10, 2015
Payne was first-round pick for Atlanta in the most recent NBA Draft, but he’s appeared in only three games this season while bouncing back-and-forth from the D-League.
We’ll have more on the moves after Saunders speaks with the media at 3 p.m.
