4team trade completes Butler move
The Los Angeles Clippers acquired forward Maurice Harkless and a firstround pick from Miami on Monday as part of a larger fourteam trade, a person not authorized to speak publicly on the matter confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.
The deal also includes Philadelphia, Portland and Miami. As part of the trade, guard Jimmy Butler and former Portland center Meyers Leonard join Miami, guard Josh Richardson goes to Philadelphia, and center Hassan Whiteside is headed to Portland. Harkless originally was on the move to Miami with Leonard but was redirected to the Clippers, who took back a draft pick for taking on Harkless’ contract.
At 6foot9, 220 pounds, Harkless gives the Clippers two things they desire: a longarmed player with playoff experience capable of playing on the perimeter, and a teamfriendly contract that allows the Clippers to be creative with their salary cap in the future. Harkless is owed $11.5 million next season in the final year of a fouryear contract signed in 2016, when he was with Portland.
Harkless is entering his eighth NBA season. He has averaged 7.3 points, 3.7 rebounds while shooting 47.6% from the field and 32.3% from 3point range for his career.
The draft pick the Clippers will receive helps replenish the team’s stock of future assets. The Clippers sent Brooklyn a 2020 firstround pick June 20.
The move took place amid the Clippers’ wait to hear from top free agent Kawhi Leonard about his decision. Even after taking on Harkless’ $11.5 million salary, the Clippers still have enough cap space to sign Leonard to a maximumlevel contract, which would be worth $32.7 million during the first season, should he commit to the Clippers.
Harkless appeared ready to lobby Leonard, the NBA Finals MVP, on behalf of his new team.
“Anybody got kawhi number??” Harkless tweeted, shortly after news of the trade broke on social media.
Mavs get Seth Curry back: Seth Curry is returning to Dallas as a free agent after a year away.
Two people with knowledge of the deal say Stephen Curry's younger brother and the Mavericks have agreed on a $32 million, fouryear contract. The people spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because deals can't be signed until Saturday.
The younger Curry had the best season of his career with Dallas in 201617, averaging career highs of 12.8 points, 2.7 assists and 29 minutes per game. He missed all of 201718 with a stress reaction in his lower left leg before joining Portland on a oneyear contract last season. Curry averaged 7.9 points for the Trail Blazers.
In other moves: The L.A. Times reported that the Lakers have reached agreement with shooting guard Troy Daniels on a oneyear deal worth $2.1 million . ... Former Louisville and South Carolina player Brian Bowen II, caught up in the college basketball corruption scandal, has signed a twoway contract with the Indiana Pacers. He played professionally in Australia during the 201819 season for the Sydney Kings, averaging 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 30 games . ... Enes Kanter’s manager, Hank Fetic, wrote on Twitter that the former Portland center had agreed to twoyear deal with the Celtics, with the second year being a player option . ... A person with knowledge of the details says the Knicks have agreed to a twoyear deal with guard Elfrid Payton . ... Versatile 67 guard Tomas Satoransky says he is headed to the Bulls. He set career highs by averaging 8.9 points, 5.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 80 games with Washington while helping sub for injured John Wall last season . ... The Magic reportedly agreed to bring back point guard Michael CarterWilliams on a oneyear contract.