Jeremy Lamb to Hornets: Latest Trade Details, Comments, Reaction
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets have pulled off a trade that will send Jeremy Lamb to the Hornets in exchange for Luke Ridnour and a 2016 conditional second-round draft pick.
The Hornets confirmed the deal via a press release on the team website. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports first reported the deal.
“Jeremy Lamb is a quality young wing player who we believe has the talent to help our team,” general manager Rich Cho said in the release. “We look forward to adding him to our rotation next season.”
Ridnour is having a whirlwind couple of days. The Orlando Magic traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. Memphis then turned around and traded the veteran point guard to Charlotte earlier on Thursday before this latest deal.
Even though Ridnour isn't a dynamic NBA talent, ESPN.com's Royce Young noted the 34-year-old's contract is fully non-guaranteed:
Ridnour will provide the Thunder with salary relief while the team also acquires an extra pick next year.
Lamb has been a strong contributor off the bench for each of his three NBA seasons, shooting nearly 35 percent from three-point range in 148 games.
The 23-year-old adds a necessary scoring element to the Hornets, who averaged 94.2 points per game last season (28th in the NBA), and he's got an opportunity to take on an expanded role in Charlotte after playing 13.5 minutes per game last season.
Carson Cunningham of KOCO 5 News in Oklahoma City noted the Thunder should be more than satisfied with their haul:
This deal provides immediate benefits for both Oklahoma City and Charlotte in very different ways. The Hornets get a good young talent who fits what they need, while the Thunder get financial flexibility to tinker with their roster before next season begins.
