Hasheem Thabeet, the former No.2 overall pick in the 2009 draft, hasn't had much luck in the NBA tallying a mere 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game while bouncing from one team to another over five seasons from the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Now he is about to suite up for the sixth team for the sixth time in his six year career with the Philadelphia 76ers per Marc Stein of ESPN:
The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded center Hasheem Thabeet and cash to the Philadelphia 76ers for a protected second-round draft pick in 2015 and a trade exception. Sources briefed on the transaction said Tuesday that the Sixers will receive cash considerations to take on Thabeet's contract.
According to Matt Moore of CBS Sports, the deal allowed the Thunder to go under the luxury tax giving them the flexibility to bring in another key player free from harsh tax penalties. With Steven Adam's emerging as a serviceable back up center and a possible starter in the future, OKC had no more room for Thabeet who has shown that he is a back up big man at best in his entire career. Drafting Mitch McGary ultimately sealed the deal for Thabeet.
But why didn't the Thunder just waive Thabeet if they wanted to go under the luxury tax and gain a bit of financial flexibility? Though having a little salary cap relief is always good for the Thunder, a traded player exception is even more important with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka's huge contracts leaving the team with very little salary cap space to wiggle around. Jake Pavorsky of Liberty Ballers writes:
Thabeet signed a two-year deal with an option for a third back in 2012, with an annual salary of $1.25 million. Spotrac says the deal becomes fully guaranteed for 2014-15 if not waived before September 1st, so Philadelphia will not be on the hook for any of this. The motivation for Oklahoma City in this deal is for the traded player exception, which is why they chose not to just cut him.
A $1.25 million trade exception may not sound like much but for a contender like the Thunder, it could mean bringing in a key player that might just be the final piece of the championship puzzle. They could use the trade exception to acquire a veteran shooter to further bolster their back court and help them reach the top without the burden of the going over the luxury tax.
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