Portland trades for veteran Ariza
Kings get Bazemore, Tolliver, picks
From wire dispatches
The Portland Trail Blazers agreed to trade Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and two future secondround picks to the Sacramento Kings in a deal that sheds $12.5 million in salary, league sources tell ESPN.
The Kings will send Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel and Caleb Swanigan to the Trail Blazers, whose luxury tax bill drops to $7 million with the deal. Bazemore ($19.3 million) and Tolliver ($1.6) are on expiring contracts. Ariza ($12.2) has a partial guarantee of $1.1 million on his $12.8 million contract next season. The Trail Blazers have until June 30 to pick up or decline that option. Portland also will create a $7.2 million and a $1.7 million trade exception as part of the deal. Both exceptions will expire in January 2021. The Kings are continuing to pursue trade avenues for center Dewayne Dedmon, who’s in the first season of a three-year, $40 million contract.
• Guard CJ McCollum did not play Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of a left ankle sprain. McCollum was injured Friday in a 120112 loss against the Dallas Mavericks, on a drive when his foot landed on the foot of Dallas forward Maxi Kleber.
Hawks
Jeff Teague says he couldn’t be happier to be back with his adopted hometown team. Teague, in
his 11th NBA season, was hoping to return to his original club as a free agent this summer, but a trade from Minnesota two days ago landed him back with Atlanta earlier than expected. No longer a starter, Teague entered Saturday in a game against the Detroit Pistons midway through the first quarter to a modest standing ovation, playing alongside fellow point guard Trae Young, the NBA’s thirdleading scorer. Teague played 25 minutes scoring 15 points and adding 7 assists and 3 rebounds.
“I always wanted to come back,” Teague said. “Those things just kind of run through your head. I looked at their team, their need and things like that. I thought they might need me, a backup veteran that can help a little bit and try to help lead the guys. I thought that would be my role.”