The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Hasheem Thabeet to the Philadelphia 76ers:
ESPN has learned that Oklahoma City is trading Hasheem Thabeet to Philadelphia
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 26, 2014
However, the Sixers won't be keeping Thabeet and his $1.25 million non-guaranteed contract around:
Thabeet, I'm told, is likely to be waived immediately by Sixers after completion of trade
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 26, 2014
By trading Thabeet into the Sixers' cap space, a $1.25 million trade exception will be created for Oklahoma City. The Thunder will send cash considerations to the Sixers along with Thabeet:
Thunder, I'm told, will send cash considerations to Sixers so Philly will absorb Thabeet's contract. OKC thus creates $1.25 million TPE
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 26, 2014
Prior to the deal, Oklahoma City was about $1.4 million below the luxury tax line. That number now stands at nearly $2.7 million and gives the Thunder a bit more breathing room.
The Sixers have until Sept. 1 to waive Thabeet before his deal becomes guaranteed, which is why he'll be waived immediately. Philadelphia is way under the salary floor and could have used Thabeet's contract to get closer to it, but that's not the plan. Instead, it appears the trade was simply for cash.
Thabeet's NBA career has been a huge disappointment. The No. 2 overall pick in 2009, Thabeet has career averages of 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 224 games.