Why Weaver could be traded
The Oklahoma City Thunder have 16 players under contract for next season after they signed free-agent point guard Royal Ivey. Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman has some thoughts on what general manager Sam Presti might do.
Mayberry writes: "Byron Mullens, D.J. White and Kyle Weaver are the most likely candidates to be on the outside looking in. Mullens has shown the most development of the trio and, as an athletic 7-foot center, is a rare commodity that the Thunder isn't likely to throw away after only one season. White is another big man who can provide rebounding and court spacing with his mid-range shooting ability. And so it appears Weaver could be the last man standing, possibly squeezed out of a fast-developing roster. ... Even with 16 players signed, Oklahoma City sits more than $6 million below the $58.04 million salary cap. That kind of cap space is enough to afford the Thunder the opportunity to swap a 15th man for a future draft pick -- maybe even a first-rounder if OKC is willing to take back a sizeable contract."
Weaver is easy to trade because he's scheduled to earn only $935,484 next season and his contract does not become guaranteed until Aug. 2.
