Some trades only include two players. Others include eight, like the one executed between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets on Thursday night. The Thunder traded Derrick Favors, Ty Jerome, Theo Maledon and Moe Harkless to the Rockets in exchange for David Nwaba, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski The Thunder, who will additionally acquire two draft exceptions, are also sending Houston a 2025 second-round pick in the deal.
Oklahoma City saves $1 million in salary in the deal
Only two participants are involved in certain exchanges. Others include eight, such as the one that took place on Thursday night between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Thunder sent the Rockets Derrick Favors, Ty Jerome, Theo Maledon, and Moe Harkless for David Nwaba, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, and Marquese Chriss. Along with two draft exceptions, the Thunder also sends Houston a second-round selection in 2025 as part of the trade.
The arrangement primarily benefits Oklahoma City financially since it saves them $1 million in salary and brings them under the luxury tax threshold by almost $10 million. According to Wojnarowski, Houston will receive a second-round selection in exchange for paying an extra $1 million in compensation.
The star of the trade is Favors, who was selected third overall in the 2010 NBA Draft. His current deal has one year and more than $10 million left on it. The veteran forward may find a space on the Rockets’ roster as they retool, or they may decide to trade him to a contending team. Favors might potentially be bought out, in which case he would be free to sign with another company. In 39 games with the Thunder last year, Favors averaged 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. He formerly played for the Jazz, the Pelicans, and the Nets in addition to Oklahoma City.
The other players involved in the transaction may be able to find opportunity and success with new starts as both Houston and Oklahoma City are currently going through rebuilds. We might see some of these players in their new outfits very soon because preseason action is expected to start this weekend and both clubs are presently in the middle of training camp.
