Another day and another trade in the NBA before the February deadline. According to Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN, Portland traded Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and two second- round picks to Sacramento for Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel and Caleb Swanigan.
Blazers needed the trade to happen because they save $12.3M on the deal, and it cuts luxury tax bill in half.
Bazemore ($19.3 million) and Tolliver ($1.6 million) are on expiring contracts. Ariza ($12.2 million) has a partial guarantee of $1.8 million on his $12.8 million contract next season. The Blazers will have until June 30 to pick up or decline that option.
Portland will also create a $7.2 million and a $1.7 million trade exception as part of the deal. Both exceptions will expire next January according to Woj.
Bazemore has been a solid player off the bench this season, averaging 7.9 points and 4 rebounds. On the other hand, Trevor Ariza is a solid defender that will bring leadership from a vet in the locker room.