Thunder Save Money In Trading Perry Jones III To Celtics

Jones in 2012 NBA Draft — Perry Jones III from Baylor University shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern after being selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder as the 28th overall pick in the 2012 NBA basketball Draft in Newark, New Jersey, June 28, 2012. Reuters/Adam Hunger

The Oklahoma City Thunder will send Perry Jones III to the Boston Celtics in exchange for salary cap savings. The Thunder will also send a future second-round pick and some cash to Boston as part of the deal.

According to a report, the Thunder will send their second-round pick acquired in the Reggie Jackson trade.

Celtics will be acquiring Perry Jones, a second round pick and cash from Oklahoma City. Not really giving up anything. Tax deal for OKC.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) July 14, 2015

Second-rounder Celts getting in the Jones trade is from Detroit (Reggie Jackson trade).
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) July 14, 2015

The Thunder recently matched an offer sheet by the Portland Trail Blazers for Enes Kanter, who signed a $70 million deal over four years. The huge salary for the center meant that the Thunder have gone over the luxury tax, but by trading away Jones, Oklahoma City is expected to save about $7 million after the deal with Boston.

The 6-foot-11 Jones was the 28th overall pick by the Thunder in the 2012 NBA Draft but never saw consistent playing time in OKC. He has played a total of 143 games in three seasons with the Thunder, averaging 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per game.

It’s still not known if Jones, who plays the small and power forward positions, will make the Celtics roster for the new season. Under contract in 2015-2016 for Boston are forwards Amir Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Jared Sullinger, Jae Crowder and most likely, David Lee.