Report: Clippers trade Antawn Jamison to Hawks
The game done changed in the Eastern Conference.
In a deal that wasn't even rumored this week, likely because each team was waiting to see if anything else materialized, the Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly traded Antawn Jamison to the Atlanta Hawks.
This is largely just a financial move, however. The Hawks have a roster spot open and cap space to spare, so they're able to take on Jamison and his $884,293 salary without any financial repercussion. The Clippers, meanwhile, save save an estimated $1.4 million in luxury tax dollars by clearing Jamison off of their books.
The deal is a twist on the standard "player and cash for a pick that will never be conveyed." In essence, the Clippers will pay the Hawks a small stipend to do them the solid, and instead of a heavily-protected future second-round pick, the Clippers instead receive the draft rights to Cenk Akoyl, a 26-year-old wing from Turkey who the Hawks selected 59th overall in 2005.
The Clippers remain $162,000 over the luxury tax line, however, even after subsequently trading Byron Mullens. This would represent the first time ever the Clippers have paid the tax, though they at least trimmed the bill by roughly $1.7 million on Thursday.
In 22 games this season, the 37-year-old Jamison is averaging 3.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 11.3 minutes. It seems likely the Hawks will buy Jamison out, saving a few ducats and allowing Jamison to join a contender for the stretch run, should one be interested.
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