National Basketball Association

Hornets trade Aldrich to Thunder

Published Jun. 24, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The New Orleans Hornets have agreed to trade Cole Aldrich and veteran shooting guard Morris Peterson to Oklahoma City for the Thunders' 21st and 26th picks in the first round.

Peterson is heading into the final year of a four-year $23 million contract. New Orleans, which entered the draft with only one first-round pick and none in the second, will receive Iowa State forward Craig Brackins (No. 21) and Washington guard Quincy Pondexter (26).

Brackins averaged 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds last season for the Cyclones.

The 6-foot-11, 245-pound Aldrich was taken with the 11th overall pick and averaged 11.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks last season as a junior for the Jayhawks.

In a text to the Associated Press, Peterson says he's excited to be joining a "great, young up-and-coming team.''

The deal can't become official until July 8, when the new salary cap comes into effect.