We have a trade...
That shifts things around on the end of the bench in Dallas so they could create a roster spot forWillie Cauley-Stein (a trade that was announced later). A trade that is mostly about saving some and rolling the dice on a project in OKC.
Dallas is sending Isaiah Roby to OKC for Justin Patton, a story broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Dallas is trading forward Isaiah Roby to Oklahoma City for Justin Patton and cash consideration, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 24, 2020
What is really going on here?
For Dallas, this is about clearing out a roster spot, it plans to waive Patton. That roster spot is going to Willie Cauley-Stein in a trade with Golden State, that was just reported. The Mavericks lost center Dwight Powell to a torn Achilles this week and needed to bring in a player or two — via trade or free agency — to help bolster the existing front line of Kristaps Porzingis, Maxi Kleber, and Boban Marjanovic. Here is Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.
We just landed in SLC, catching up, told the Roby-for-Patton move is clearing roster spot for potential future move. Patton will be waived.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) January 24, 2020
The move also clears out a little cash for Dallas.
In Oklahoma City, they get a young player to develop but also save some money.
Isaiah Roby is in year one of a four year contract.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 24, 2020
* 19/20: $1.5M
* 20/21: $1.5M (fully guaranteed)
*21/22: $1.8M (guaranteed on 7/3/21)
* 22/23: $1.9M (guaranteed on 7/3/22)
Tax bill in OKC goes from $2.3M to $2M. The Thunder are now $801,066 over the threshold.
Roby has not played in an NBA game yet. The rookie out of Nebraska — taken 45th overall last June — is a development project, but one who passes the eye test for an NBA power forward. He did a lot of things well in college — scoring, rebounding, works hard off the ball — but can he do that at an NBA level? He’s played in nine G-League games this season, averaging 9.2 points and 7 rebounds a game.