Thunder Finalize Deals With Thabo And Telfair
By Randy Renner
Now it's official, Thabo Sefolosha is going to play in Atlanta next season and Sebastian Telfair will be in Oklahoma City.
Of course most of you probably knew that already because the deals have been agreed to for several days now.
The Thunder managed to get a little something for Thabo, another one of those seldom-used, but really valuable when you need them, trade exceptions.
It's similar to how things played out last season with Kevin Martin. He had agreed to a free agent deal with the Timberwolves and then ended up giving OKC a $6.5 million trade exception which the Thunder allowed to expire the other day.
The Sefolosha deal includes a trade exception worth about $4 million. These exceptions aren't used very often but they can be very handy to have if the right deal comes along.
The Thunder also received the rights to Sofoklis Schortsanitis, a 6-foot-10, 350-pound center from Greece. But don't get too fired about about seeing the big guy in a Thunder uni any time soon, if ever. At this point it's pretty doubtful he will ever play in the NBA.
Schortsanitis was the 34th overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers way back in 2003. He's played his entire career overseas in Greece, Italy and Israel.
In addition to Sefolosha, the Thunder sent the Hawks the rights to Giorgos Printezis, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Greece and a 2007 second-round pick who also has never played in the NBA and likely never will. The Thunder sent the Hawks some cash too.
The Thunder also formally announced the signing of free agent backup point guard Sebastian Telfair. Telfair tweeted a photo when he signed the agreement a few days ago and Telfair had also announced he had reached a deal with OKC shortly after free agency began.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Sebastian to the Thunder organization and Oklahoma City community," Thunder GM Sam Presti said in a press release. "His competitiveness and work ethic have complimented his on-court leadership skills throughout his career, and we are excited to be able to integrate these qualities into our team."
This will be Telfair’s eighth organization in his 10 NBA seasons. He has career averages of 7.4 points and 3.5 assists.
Last year, he spent the season in China, averaging 26 points per game and reportedly turned down a two year, $7 million offer to stay in China.
The details of Telfair's contract with the Thunder weren't made public by the team but it's believed to be for one year at the veteran's minimum which is roughly $1.3 million. Telfair's contract is not believed to be guaranteed so he will have to make the team's roster during training camp to cash in.