Three team deal involving Timberwolves, Suns and Hornets on the verge of collapse – NBA Report
The Arizona Republic has reported that the three team deal that would have landed Robin Lopez in New Orleans might not come through after all.
The deal involves the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Hornets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. According to the agreed deal, the Suns would send centre Lopez and Hakim Warrick to New Orleans, the Wolves would send small forward Wesley Johnson and a first round draft pick to the Suns along with Brad Miller’s expiring contract, while they would receive Jerome Dyson and two future round draft picks from New Orleans.
The deal was beneficial for New Orleans as they would get a solid centre player in Lopez, allowing this year’s number 1 draft pick Anthony Davis to play the power forward position. Davis played centre in college but his lean built has the Hornets worried whether he would be able to match powerful centres like Andrew Bynum and Roy Hibbert.
The Wolves came away happy with the deal because it allowed them to free cap space to sign Russian forward Andrei Kirilenko. The two parties have reportedly agreed a deal worth $20 million for two years.
All the sides of the deal are still agreeing to the deal in principle, but the money involved may not fit the guidelines of the league and there is a possibility it might be rejected. The news comes as a big blow to all sides, particularly the Wolves, who now have to wait for a new trade before they can sign Kirilenko. Lopez had earlier agreed to a three year $15.3 million sign and trade deal with the Suns, making the deal happen.
The Wolves are now said to be looking for another team to negotiate with, as they continue their attempts to open up some cap space which allows them to sign Kirilenko. The Russian forward is a 10 year veteran to the NBA, having played all 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz before returning to his home country of Russia to play for CSKA Moscow last season. Now, he is eyeing a return to the NBA and the Wolves are considering him as the right person to add to the front court with Kevin Love.
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