The Miami Heat traded Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Ryan Anderson on Wednesday night, the teams announced via press release.
After landing in Phoenix, Ellington and his agent are reportedly working with the Suns toward his release, which would likely come in the form of a buyout, in order to join a playoff contender.
Based on the one-year, $6.27 million contract Ellington signed with the Heat, he had to approve the trade to the Suns so it would appear likely that the two sides will agree to his release in the coming days.
If he becomes a free agent, the Thunder will be interested in him.
Ellington, a career 38 percent shooter from deep, had appeared in only 25 games this season for the Heat as the team was unable to find minutes for him.
While Ellington hadn’t played much this season in Miami, he hadn’t publicly complained about the lack of playing time and only recently sought out a trade from the team.
As it became clear Ellington would benefit from a trade, the idea of the Thunder trading for him or signing him via free agency began to gain traction since Ellington would fill a huge shooting need for the team.
Ellington set the Heat franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a season last year with 227 and he did so playing the majority of the season off of the bench — he started just two games.
He appears to fit the exact role player the Thunder would be looking for as someone that is comfortable coming off of the bench and as a player that can get hot from beyond the arc.
The Thunder now have two open roster spots available prior to the trade deadline and can sign Ellington outright if he were to be released from the Suns.
Ellington would certainly prefer to join a contending team and it appears as though the Thunder will be among the teams that meet with Ellington and his representation if the opportunity presents itself.
The Thunder signed Corey Brewer last year via the buyout market and may opt to sign a player once again for the stretch run once the dust settles from the trade deadline.
The idea of signing Ellington, of course, is contingent upon the team still having an open roster spot following the trade deadline and the Suns granting Ellington his release so the potential signing may not occur for a few days still.
It’s shaping up to be a busy few days for the Thunder…
