Minnesota Acquires Wilkins and Atkins from Thunder

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced the team has traded center Etan Thomas and two future second-round draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for 6-6 guard Damien Wilkins and 5-11 guard Chucky Atkins.

“We’re committed towards rebuilding our roster with an eye towards flexibility and long-term success, and this move better positions us for the summer,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “I want to thank Etan for his professionalism and understanding, and wish him all the best moving forward.”

UPDATE:
Thomas, 6 feet 9, was acquired by the Wolves in the June 24 trade that sent guards Randy Foye and Mike Miller to Washington.

The 6-foot-6 Wilkins averaged 7.6 points in five seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics/Thunder after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

Atkins, 5-11, has played with eight teams in a 10-year NBA career, averaging 10.2 points.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have picked up another point guard in a swap of veteran backups that will send Etan Thomas to Oklahoma City.

Along with Thomas, Minnesota is sending two of its four second-round picks in the 2010 draft to Oklahoma City in exchange for guards Damien Wilkins and Chucky Atkins.

Thomas will head to his home state after spending less than a month with the Timberwolves. He came in the trade that eventually landed unsigned No. 5 overall draft pick Ricky Rubio in Minnesota.

At 34, Atkins could be a much-needed mentor to a crop of young point guards in Minnesota.

For the Wolves, the deal appears to be nothing more than a salary dump. Wilkins’ $3.3 million contract is guaranteed for next season, but only $760,000 of Atkins’ expiring $3.48 million contract is guaranteed for 2009-10.
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