3-team deal sends Lopez, Warrick to Hornets

Published Jul. 24, 2012 7:42 p.m. ET

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According to The Associated Press, the Hornets, Suns and Timberwolves have agreed to a multiplayer deal sending 7-foot center Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick from Phoenix to New Orleans, while moving forward Wesley Johnson and a first-round draft pick from Minnesota to Phoenix.

A person familiar with negotiations spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because it has not been announced pending the completion of some routine logistical matters.

The deal, first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo!Sports, also sends guard Jerome Dyson and retiring center Brad Miller's $5.1 million contract from New Orleans to Minnesota, allowing the Timberwolves to clear space under the NBA's salary cap as they pursue free agents. Minnesota also will receive two second-round draft picks from New Orleans, while the Hornets will receive cash.

Johnson, a 6-foot-8 swingman out of Syracuse, was the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft and has spent most of his early career at shooting guard. Particulars of the draft pick were not reported.

With the 7-foot Lopez filling the Hornets' need for a legitimate center to stand next to 2012 draft prize Anthony Davis, the Suns (for now, at least) would be looking at Channing Frye as a backup to center Marcin Gortat. Frye worked mostly as a "stretch center," playing alongside Amar'e Stoudemire, during his first season with the Suns.

Johnson averaged 9 points per game during his rookie season in Minnesota and slipped to 6.0 during the past campaign. He's made a tick under 40 percent of his field-goal attempts in both NBA years; Johnson bagged 35 percent of his attempts from 3-point range as a rookie but dropped to 31 percent in his second season.

His addition would give the Suns three options at shooting guard, along with swingman Jared Dudley and recently re-signed Shannon Brown.

Lopez, the 15th overall pick in the 2008 draft, lost his starting spot during a 2010-2011 slump but just finished a solid season with the second unit. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 14 minutes per game, but made just 46 percent of his field-goal attempts.

Warrick averaged 6.4 points and 2.6 points during his second season in Phoenix.

Includes information from Brett Martel of The Associated Press.