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Suns Trade Complete: Lopez, Warrick Out; Johnson, First-rounder, Miller, Dyson In

Apr 12, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Wesley Johnson (4) goes up for a shot in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Clippers won 95-82. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE
Apr 12, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Wesley Johnson (4) goes up for a shot in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Target Center. The Clippers won 95-82. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

Here are the details:

The Phoenix Suns today completed a three-team, sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Hornets and Minnesota Timberwolves that will send restricted free agent Robin Lopez, forward Hakim Warrick and cash considerations to the Hornets, and a 2014 second-round draft pick (acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers) to the Timberwolves. In exchange, Phoenix receives swingman Wesley Johnson, a protected 2013 first round pick from Minnesota, and the contracts of Brad Miller and guard Jerome Dyson. New Orleans sends to Minnesota a pair of second-round picks, one in 2013 (acquired from the Brooklyn Nets) and another in 2016 (acquired from Minnesota in an earlier trade).

So there it is. More analysis to be posted soon on the players. Basically, the same as reported before except the Suns also get Jerome Dyson's non-guaranteed contract as well as Miller's.

Somehow, New Orleans was allowed to aggregate a salary with Miller (which is against CBA rules!), and still doesn't give up much for Lopez and Warrick. Not sure how this all fit, but it did.

Either way, Suns get what they expected. Top-14 protected pick from Memphis via Minnesota that may convert to cash if Memphis misses the playoffs four years in a row.

More from the Suns' press release on the players involved:

New Orleans sends to Minnesota a pair of second-round picks, one in 2013 (acquired from the Brooklyn Nets) and another in 2016 (acquired from Minnesota in an earlier trade).

Johnson, a 6-7, 215 forward, just completed his second NBA season, both with Minnesota, after originally being selected with the fourth overall pick (first round) of the 2010 NBA Draft. The 25-year-old owns career averages of 7.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 144 games (127 starts). Johnson, who boasts a 7-1 wingspan, just concluded a successful Las Vegas Summer League in which he averaged 20.5 points while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor, including 45.0 percent from three-point range. A three-year collegiate performer at Iowa State (2006-08) and Syracuse (2009-10), Johnson averaged 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, and was a finalist for the Naismith Trophy (NCAA Player of the Year) in his lone season with the Orange.

Lopez, a 7-0, 255-pound center, is a four-year NBA veteran who was originally selected by the Suns with the 15th overall pick (first round) in the 2008 NBA Draft. The 24-year-old Stanford product owns career averages of 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in 242 games (94 starts).

Warrick, a 6-9, 219-pound forward, has played the last two seasons in Phoenix after originally being acquired by the Suns on July 9, 2010, in a sign-and-trade deal with the Chicago Bulls. Last season, Warrick averaged 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 35 games for the Suns.

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