NBA: Boston Celtics trade forward Brandan Wright to the Phoenix Suns
Last Updated: 10/01/15 10:49am
The Phoenix Suns made a move to beef up their front line Friday by acquiring Brandan Wright from the Boston Celtics for a protected first-round draft pick.
The 6f10in forward averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 35 games this season for Dallas and Boston.
The draft pick, originally Minnesota's, is top-12 protected in 2015 and 2016. If the pick is not used by 2016, then the Timberwolves would instead give up their second-round picks in 2016 and 2017.
Wright was an attractive acquisition partly because he has a $6 million contract that expires after this season.
Phoenix has a guard-heavy line-up that can use some inside strength and they are hopeful Wright, a former first-round draft pick who is in his seventh NBA season, can provide it.
"The way Dallas played last year is somewhat similar to what we play (in terms of) being in the open court and pick and rolls," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said.
"Brandan does a great job of rolling to the basket and catching the ball and either dunking it or he's got a little jumper, so he can shoot it."
The Celtics also pulled small forward Jeff Green from their starting line-up for Friday's 107-103 loss to Indiana amid rumours he would soon be dealt to Memphis.
Green is averaging a team-best 17.6 points but is expected to become a free agent in July when he has the option to opt out of the final year of his deal.
These moves follow the trade of star point guard Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks last month as general manager Danny Ainge looks to stockpile future assets for the rebuilding Celtics.
