The Portland Trail Blazers have traded Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and two second-round picks to the Sacramento Kings for Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel, and Caleb Swanigan, a source tells ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The deal saves the Blazers, who entered Saturday’s games 10th in the West at 18-25, $12.3 million, cutting their luxury tax bill in half.
Bazemore is a 30-year-old veteran in his ninth year as a pro, and he’s been a solid bench player for Portland this season. Averaging just under 26 minutes of playing time per contest, he’s putting up 7.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
The Blazers acquired Bazemore from the Atlanta Hawks this past summer in the Evan Turner trade, while Ariza was in his first season with the Kings after playing for the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards last season.
Bazemore is averaging 7.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists on the season. Ariza, meanwhile, is putting up 6.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
The Blazers are 18-25 on the season, while the Kings are 15-26. Both teams would be out of the playoffs if the postseason started today.
This is the second big move the Blazers have made this season. They signed Carmelo Anthony in November.
Courtesy: ESPN.com
