 |
The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired veteran swingman Rasual Butler and cash from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for a conditional second round draft pick in 2016.
Acccording to the Los Angeles Times, “the Hornets are expected to save about $8 million with the trade, including Butler’s $3.9-million contract and luxury tax implications. Meanwhile, the Clippers are absorbing his salary, thanks to a $7.3-million trade exception they had after shipping Zach Randolph last month to the Memphis Grizzlies.”
“Today’s move allows us to increase our financial flexibility while at the same time gives us an opportunity to improve at that position,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “Due to the depth we have, it will allow us to open up minutes and opportunities for Julian Wright, Morris Peterson and rookie Marcus Thornton, all of whom we anticipate great contributions from this season.”
“We are very excited to add Rasual to our roster,” stated Clippers Head Coach and General Manager Mike Dunleavy. “We believe he is another piece who will help us get back to being a competitive playoff team.”
The seven-year NBA veteran registered his most productive season in 2008-09, averaging 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 31.9 minutes while playing in all 82 games (74 starts) for the Hornets. Butler also connected on 40 percent of his field goals and 37 percent of his shots from behind the three-point line last season. In five playoff games for the Hornets in 2009, Butler tallied 10.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest.
Over his career, Butler has tallied 8.3 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.
Butler was originally drafted out of La Salle University by the Miami Heat in the second round (53rd overall selection) of the 2002 NBA Draft. After three seasons in Miami, Butler was eventually sent to the Hornets on August 2, 2005 as part of a five team, 13 player trade.
The Philadelphia native finished his four-year collegiate career as the fourth-leading scorer (19.1 ppg) in La Salle history and ranked fourth on the Explorers’ all-time three-point field goals made (282 3FGM) list.
InsideHoops.com editor says: This trade saves the Hornets money but makes them a bit worse, while the Clippers improve a bit.
Read fan reaction and post your own comments in this forum topic.
