PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers have traded forward Noah Vonleh to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Milovan Rakovic, said a person with knowledge of the situation.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the move at Thursday deadline had not formally announced.
Vonleh, the No. 9 overall pick by Charlotte in the 2014 NBA draft, averaged 3.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 33 games this season, including 12 starts. For his career, Vonleh has averaged 3.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Vonleh, 22 will be a restricted free agent this summer. The trade, which also gave the Blazers a $3.5 million traded player exception, helps Portland get under the luxury tax threshold. The team now has two open roster spots.
Rakovic currently plays in the Swiss Basketball League. He was originally drafted by Dallas in 2007, but has never played in the NBA.
The trade was first reported by ESPN.
The Bulls also dealt Jameer Nelson to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for center Willie Reed, Chicago immediately waived.
Chicago also received the right to swap second-round draft picks with Detroit in 2022.
Reed was acquired by the Pistons last week as part of the deal that sent Blake Griffin to Detroit. Reed was suspended six games Tuesday after the NBA looked into the circumstances surrounding his arrest last August on a domestic violence charge.
Nelson averaged 5.1 points a game with New Orleans this season before being traded to Chicago last week. He hasn’t played since.
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