Trading places…
According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, the Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 2012 draft pick to the New Orleans Hornets for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza:
Lewis is entering the final year of his contract, so his expiring $23.8 million is attractive to the rebuilding Hornets franchise under new owner Tom Benson. Okafor gives the Wizards a defensive presence in their frontcourt paired with NeNe, while Ariza adds a versatile veteran to hold down the wing position until Jan Vesely is ready to take the starting role.
Trading for Ariza virtually dispels any notion of the Wizards drafting a small forward with the No. 3 pick in next week’s draft, but crazier things have happened. The Wizards were said to be a potential destination for Kentucky freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist but they may likely turn their focus on drafting a guard to play alongside John Wall, with Bradley Beal being the immediate candidate.
-ALR
