More moving and shaking on NBA trade deadline day as the Wolves have traded big man Gorgui Dieng to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward James Johnson, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
The Timberwolves have traded Gorgui Dieng to Memphis for James Johnson, league sources tell @TheAthleticMIN
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) February 6, 2020
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that trade is part of a bigger, three-team deal that also includes the Miami Heat.
Dieng has $17 million remaining on his contract in 2020-21 before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Johnson has a $15.8 million player option next season, so it’s salary off the books if Johnson chooses against staying in Minnesota.
If he does take the option, Johnson is a solid defender who can match up with forwards.
The deal comes on the heels of a blockbuster trade that sent Andrew Wiggins and draft picks to Golden State for point guard D’Angelo Russell, guard Jacob Evans and power forward Omari Spellman.
In total, Minnesota has now traded nine players this season and the front office has done a complete overhaul of the roster.
