NBA Trade Rumors: Memphis Grizzlies Agree To Trade With Orlando Magic
NBA trade rumors indicate the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic have agreed to a deal. In this trade, Orlando deals point guard Luke Ridnour to Memphis for the rights to forward Janis Timma. It’s an odd NBA trade, as Timma has not played a game in the league, instead deciding to stay in Europe after his selection in the 2013 NBA Draft. As reported by ESPN on Wednesday (June 24), the league has already approved the transaction.
Ridnour is a 12-year veteran that broke into the league with the Seattle SuperSonics back in the 2003-04 NBA season. He has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Carlotte Bobcats, and Orlando Magic during that time. As opposed to his time with the Sonics and Wolves, Ridnour is mostly used with the second units of teams. Ridnour appeared in 47 games for the Magic last season, averaging 14.5 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 rebounds a game.
This is definitely going to be considered a salary dump by the Orlando Magic, as the team prepares to go after some bigger names in free agency during the NBA offseason. The Memphis Grizzlies obviously see him as a guy that can provide steady minutes off the bench and help run the offense for 15-18 minutes a night. Depth at the point guard position was a problem for the Grizzlies during the 2014-15 NBA season, but getting someone with the energy of Ridnour should solve that issue.
As previously reported on the Inquisitr, the Orlando Magic have the No. 5 overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft. It means the team is going to add another talented player to the mix. The main players on the roster are Nikola Vucevic, Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton, Tobias Harris, and Moe Harkless for the coming NBA season. The team also has just under $39 million on the cap, meaning they could add several good role players in free agency.
Though this was a trade that seems geared to helping the Memphis Grizzlies, it also indicates that the Orlando Magic were probably going to decline the team option it had for Luke Ridnour. Some NBA analysts are already scratching their heads about the point to this trade even being made, but at least the Magic got a small asset in return. Now the team can turn its focus back to preparing for the 2015 NBA Draft and ensuring that the roster will be even better next season.
[Image Source: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images]
