Adreian Payne to Timberwolves: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

After playing just three games for the Atlanta Hawks in his rookie season, 2014 first-round draft pick Adreian Payne is on the move to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution first reported that Atlanta will receive a future first-round pick in exchange for the rookie forward, which the Hawks later confirmed.

According to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst, that first-round selection is lottery protected beginning in 2017:

Minnesota head coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders commented on Payne, via Andy Greder of the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

The team also traded Mo Williams and Troy Daniels earlier on Tuesday to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Gary Neal and a second-round pick, as Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

Atlanta made Payne the 15th overall selection in the 2014 NBA draft out of Michigan State, but he has spent much of the season in the NBA Development League.       

Per Cory McCartney of Fox Sports South, the Hawks used Payne quite sparingly:

Atlanta is the best team in the Eastern Conference this season with a record of 43-10, so Payne wasn't a necessary piece currently. At the same time, it is somewhat surprising to see the Hawks move on from such a promising player for a future asset.

Moving a roster player opens more room to make additions ahead of the trade deadline, though, which may have been the deciding factor.

As for Minnesota, there is some risk involved with dealing a first-round pick, but the fact that it is lottery protected makes it a worthwhile gamble. 

On a team that already features exciting youngsters such as Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio and Shabazz Muhammad among others, Payne could turn out to be an excellent fit.

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