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The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired forward Darius Songaila and guard Bobby Brown from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for guard Antonio Daniels and a 2014 second round pick.
According to the Associated Press, “the move will cut the Hornets’ payroll by $1.3 million this season, but Songaila has two years left on his contract, while Daniels’ contract expires after next season. The Timberwolves take on a little more salary this season, but get out from under Songaila’s player option for next year, which will cost about $4.8 million.”
“This move gives us added depth at the guard position and the power forward position,” said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. “Darius brings toughness and experience to bolster our frontcourt. We know Bobby pretty well from when he played on our summer league team and are excited to add his speed and scoring ability.”
Songaila, (6-9, 248), averaged 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 77 games (29 starts) for the Washington Wizards last season. The six-year NBA veteran out of Wake Forest University, has career averages of 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds over 410 games (78 starts) for the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls and Wizards. Songaila has appeared in 21 career playoff games, averaging 5.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in those contests. The former 50th overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, Songaila has helped his native country Lithuania to third and fourth place finishes, respectively, in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.
Brown, (6-2, 175), averaged 5.3 points and 1.7 assists in 68 games last season with the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. Brown notched a career-high 21 points as a member of the Kings against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 23, 2008. An undrafted rookie out of Cal State Fullerton in 2007, Brown spent the 2007-08 season playing for Alba Berlin of the German League. He averaged 14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.90 steals in 16 games for Alba Berlin, leading the club to its first league championship since 2003. Brown played for the 2008 Hornets Summer League team, leading the Hornets in scoring (15.2) and assists (6.2) over the course of six games.
“Antonio has the ability to play both guard positions and will provide a veteran presence and added flexibility to our backcourt,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “This trade also provides increased flexibility for personnel moves beginning next summer.”
Daniels, 34, was originally selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft and has appeared in 867 games during his 12-year career, including stops in Vancouver, San Antonio, Portland, Seattle, Washington and New Orleans. The 6-4 guard owns career averages of 7.6 points and 3.4 assists per game. A standout at Bowling Green and the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year in 1997, Daniels has competed in the playoffs in 10 of his 12 NBA seasons.
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