The NBA Draft isn’t until a week from Thursday, but the Thunder and Nuggets have already agreed to a trade.
Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, OKC is sending the No. 30 overall pick to Denver in exchange for power forward JaMychal Green and two future second-rounders.
The Thunder still own three picks in the draft — Nos. 2, 12 and 34 overall. And the Nuggets now have two in the first round, those being Nos. 21 and 30.
Green, 31, averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 67 appearances last season, his second in Denver. He has also spent time with the Clippers, Grizzlies and Spurs since entering the NBA in 2014.
The Nuggets are now under the direction of president of basketball operations Calvin Booth, who took over for Tim Connelly, now of the Timberwolves. Already, Booth has made a deal.
It is interesting that the Nuggets would want two first-round picks … given that they are a veteran team and are expected to get back Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. from injuries next season.
Then again, acquiring picks and keeping them are two different things entirely. So perhaps Booth has another move in mind.
As for GM Sam Presti and the Thunder, it makes sense to bring in a veteran, in the event they do indeed intend to keep Green. If so, he could add leadership and a physical presence for an otherwise young squad.
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