The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded center Justin Patton and cash considerations to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for forward Isaiah Roby, reports the Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Patton, a 6-foot-11, 240-pound bruiser in his third season in the NBA, appears to be of interest to the Mavericks as a stopgap measure in the wake of losing center Dwight Powell to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
However, there may be something else afoot, as the Athletic’s Tim Cato reports the move is about clearing roster space, which would account for the unknown amount of cash to be included in the deal.
it doesn't sound like Dallas is gonna keep Patton, per source. this is a roster clearing move. https://t.co/mX49QIpTA6
— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) January 24, 2020
Roby, however, appears to be of interest to the Thunder as a future depth piece for the wing.
While he’s yet to play at the NBA level, the 6-foot 8 Nebraska product logged 11.8 points and 6.9 boards per game in his final NCAA season, and is signed to a very affordable four-year, $6.7 million contract ending in 2022-23.
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