Celtics Rumors: Abdel Nader to Be Traded to Thunder for Rodney Purvis
A swap of rising NBA sophomores will see Abdel Nader going to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Rodney Purvis headed to the Boston Celtics, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports.
Although Boston had originally waived Nader over the weekend, the team was able to work a trade for another player who could potentially provide a better fit.
The 24-year-old was one of the last picks of the 2016 NBA draft, but he earned a four-year contract worth $6 million after an impressive season with the Maine Red Claws. However, only $450,000 was guaranteed for next year as of Aug. 1, per Basketball Reference, which the team avoided.
Bobby Marks of ESPN broke down the additional money saved:
He appeared in 48 games with the Celtics last season, averaging 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game in limited minutes.
After undergoing wrist surgery last month that would keep him out until at least August, Boston clearly wanted to move on. Still, it provides Oklahoma City with a potential cheap roster addition for a team that owes about $90 million to Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams combined.
Meanwhile, Purvis was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Thunder just three days earlier after appearing in 16 games last season. The undrafted free agent averaged 6.0 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in his cup of coffee at the NBA level.
He averaged 5.0 points per game in five appearances in the Las Vegas Summer League.
