The Atlanta Hawks were able to clear over $5 million in payroll on Sunday evening by dealing guard Lou Williams and 2013 first-round pick Lucas Nogueira to the Toronto Raptors for veteran John Salmons.
Sources: Atlanta reaches agreement to trade Lou Williams and 2013 first-round pick to Toronto to clear cap space. http://t.co/cIyd1cc2pt
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2014
Salmons will not remain with the Hawks. He has a $7 million option with a $1 million buyout, which will be utilized by Atlanta prior to the deadline early tomorrow morning.
Lucas Nogueira, a first-round pick (16th overall) of the Raptors back in 2013, plays in a Spanish league and might not be prepared to make much of an impact short term.
Williams was acquired by the Raptors as insurance in case Kyle Lowry, as expected, bolts in free agency. Williams averaged 10.4 points and 3.5 assists per game for the Hawks last season. The 27-year-old guard had the best season of his career back in 2011-2012 with the Philadelphia 76ers when he averaged nearly 15 points per outing.
Photo: USA Today