After matching the offer to Enes Kanter, the Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder need to make some adjustments as far as their salary cap is concerned.
Though it may not be that much, the Thunder traded Perry Jones to the Boston Celtics plus a 2019 second round draft pick that should somehow ease the burden of their expected luxury tax bill. Jones is set to earn $2.04 million in the coming season and with the Thunder loaded with eight-figure salaries due to some players, such is considered meager but helpful.
With the trade, the tax bill of the team drops to $19.5 million from $24.6 million.
Jones was hardly used by the Thunder in previous campaigns and is considered to be a player who has yet to be fully developed. Jones appeared in only 43 games last season for the Thunder but did show some glimpses of brilliance. Hopefully the 28th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft can get the needed exposure to truly show his worth.
For the Thunder, it frees up some space in the forward line considering that Kevin Durant is set to return. Chances are they will be looking at someone cheaper but effective in the NBA Free Agency in case coach Billy Donovan finds the need for more help up front.
For the Celtics, it allows them to add another budding player who can surely gain a lot of help from coach Brad Stevens. The Celtics have been composed of lesser known but young players through the previous seasons and everyone knows how much of them have flourished under Stevens' guidance.
The move finally rids the Thunder of Jones who has been on the table since the trade deadline last February. Jones was supposed to be part of a package with Reggie Jackson and Kendrick Perkins to Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez. And as everyone knows, Lopez was retained by the Nets recently.
