The Los Angeles Lakers today finalized their three-team trade with the New Jersey Nets and Houston Rockets, which essentially was Sasha Vujacic for Joe Smith. Including luxury tax and salaries, the trade will save the Lakers roughly $8.7 million, according to salary cap expert Larry Coon of ESPN. In the trade, the Lakers received:
- Joe Smith, in his 16th season playing for his 12th NBA team
- The draft rights to 6-foot-11 big man Sergei Lishouk, from Houston
- A trade exception, valued by Coon at just under $5.5 million
- Golden State's second-round draft pick in 2011
- Chicago's second-round draft pick in 2012
The Lakers also their 2011 first-round draft pick, protected, to the Nets. Mike Trudell of NBA.com reported that Joe Smith is scheduled to take his physical Thursday in Philadelphia, and could be available to play for the Lakers as soon as Friday.
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