NBA trade season is officially back.
What does the deal between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, reported Monday by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, mean as both teams prepare for next week's NBA draft?
Per Wojnarowski, the Nuggets are sending veteran big man JaMychal Green and a protected first-round pick as early as 2027 to Oklahoma City in exchange for the No. 30 pick in this year's draft and two future second-rounders.
To facilitate the deal, Green must exercise his $8.2 million player option for the 2022-23 season. With Michael Porter Jr.'s extension kicking in next season, Denver projects to be in the luxury tax, so swapping out Green for a player on a modest rookie scale contract helps manage the Nuggets' bill.
Meanwhile, this trade is the latest example of the Thunder kicking draft picks down the road. Even after sending away a first-rounder, Oklahoma City still has three picks in the top 34 of this year's draft.
Let's break down the implications for both sides.
The deal:
Nuggets get:
2022 first-round pick (No. 30)
Two future second-round picks
Thunder get:
JaMychal Green
Protected 2027 first-round pick