THUNDER, HORNETS TRADE FOUR PLAYERS
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired forward/guard Morris Peterson and the rights to center Cole Aldrich from the New Orleans Hornets for the rights to forwards Craig Brackins and Quincy Pondexter.
What does it give the Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder GM Sam Presti has established himself as one of the NBA's smartest architects, and this won't hurt that reputation. He essentially moves into the lottery here to grab Aldrich, who has the length and work ethic to eventually be a good starting center in the NBA. It's unknown whether the Thunder will keep MoPete, as they already have a new outside shooter in Daequan Cook (so it appears taking on Peterson's large-ish contract was the real price of getting Aldrich). The key here is Aldrich, who helps Oklahoma's rising team get much better in the paint.
What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
The best thing about this trade for the Hornets is they get rid Peterson's expensive contract (which is for $6.2 Million next season, the last year of his deal). What's less appealing is they give up the best player in the deal (Aldrich) for a big forward who was taken too early in the draft (Brackins) and a solid-but-not-spectacular scoring small forward in Pondexter. Brackins will likely be a role player in the NBA, while Pondexter could conceivably start for New Orleans at small forward eventually (but doesn't project as a star).
Fantasy impact
