Forget about Joe Smith he is going to NO!

[BillessuR6]

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3913301

The New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City are closing in on a deal that will send center Tyson Chandler to the Thunder, according to NBA front-office sources.

Two sources with knowledge of the trade parameters told ESPN.com that the deal is likely to be completed later Tuesday.

Although the entirety of the package New Orleans would receive for Chandler was not immediately known, ESPN.com reported early Monday that the Hornets -- who are looking to move Chandler mostly for financial reasons -- were in talks with the Thunder on a trade that would net the expiring contracts of forwards Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox.

The Thunder also possess numerous draft picks to sweeten trade packages, including five first-round picks in the next two drafts.

It is not official yet but I guess it will happen today. I was afraid this might go through...There is no chance a good team like NO waives Smith...

[Celtics_Champs]

Just read this in chad fords chat. Interesting deal.

The trading continues!! Pretty active deadline so far, huh?

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

I trust Danny, but I think he put too much weight in signing PJ, Alonzo or Smith. None are available, and we missed the boat on Dikembe. Hopefully he's still got some tricks up his sleeve.

[TheOGJabroni]

I like what OKC is doing. I have liked Kevin Durant since I have seen him play in the McDonald's AllStar game and they are putting together what looks to be a terrific team for years to come.

Chandler
Green (or trade him if they can acquire hometown guy - Blake Griffin)
Durant
-FA- (or keep Green and draft Harden)
Westbrook

solid core.

Just have the wonder what the F is New Orleans doing. Who is going to play Center for them?

[Kefa461]

Interesting moves by NO.....the Posey move and now the Chandler move.....strange moves.....

[BillessuR6]

I expect a lot more!

There are a lot of teams trying to save money, if you have an expiring deal you are in heaven...

[klemen4]

What now, no bigs out there...well I hope atleast we can get Marbury

[BillessuR6]

The funny thing is NO had to get rid of Chandler because they signed Posey in the summer!

[TheOGJabroni]

Yes and it makes the Posey signing ridiculous because the little chance they had at competing for it all, now gone.

[sunshinekids99]

Very nice deal for the Thunder. Looks like the Cavs, Blazers, and Knicks are in the drivers seat right now.

Wouldn't shock me if the Knicks were used a three way deal, using that Marbury contract.

[Celts17Pride]

UPDATE:

http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009/02 ... -chandler/

The Thunder has acquired center Tyson Chandler from New Orleans in exchange for Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith, according to a league source with knowledge of the negotiations.

The Thunder will also include the draft rights to Devon Hardin, the 50th overall pick in the 2008 draft.

Chandler, 26, is one of the league’s best young defensive-oriented centers but has been hampered by chronic foot injuries this season. Chandler is averaging 8.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 32 games this year but averaged 11.8 points and 11.7 rebounds in 79 games last year.

The 7-foot-1 center became too expensive for the Hornets, who are in cost-cutting mode and face at $76 million payroll next season. Chandler has two years remaining on his contract after this season worth $24.6 million. He can opt out of the final year of his deal before the start of the 2010-11 season.

Wilcox and Smith both have expiring contracts, which will help New Orleans clear room on its salary cap next season.

-DM-

[Celtsfan1980]

I like what OKC is doing. I have liked Kevin Durant since I have seen him play in the McDonald's AllStar game and they are putting together what looks to be a terrific team for years to come.

Chandler
Green (or trade him if they can acquire hometown guy - Blake Griffin)
Durant
-FA- (or keep Green and draft Harden)
Westbrook

solid core.

Just have the wonder what the F is New Orleans doing. Who is going to play Center for them?

Chandler has been injury-prone for what seems like his entire career, so I think they need more depth at the Center than just Chandler.

[Banks2Pierce]

Let's get Swift or Collison!!!

[bceltic55]

Since this is a two for one deal does NO need to cut a player? If so we may still have a shot at Smith.

[Celts17Pride]

Since this is a two for one deal does NO need to cut a player? If so we may still have a shot at Smith.

It's not a two for one deal. Read the update above.

[Dave_From_NB]

IMO Smith to the Celtics was extremely low probablity, and my fear was that he would be released and go back to Cleveland. So all-in-all, I'm not disappointed that Smith is going to a team other than the Lakers in the west.

[bruno sundov]

I say smith gets bought out from NO and we sign him. That is why we just unloaded Sam!!!

[Rocky5000]

Nope. According to the hornets website they had 14 players on their roster pre-trade so they were carrying an open spot.

[Celts17Pride]

I say smith gets bought out from NO and we sign him. That is why we just unloaded Sam!!!

You could be right but I doubt it. There is no reason for NO to buyout Joe Smith.

[BillessuR6]

I was hoping he would get traded to a team like SAC but a good team will not buy him out...