CHICAGO — The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Andrew Bynum and three future draft picks to the Chicago Bulls for All-Star forward Luol Deng on Monday night.
Just days after suspending Bynum in his only season with the team, the Cavaliers were able to unload the center before having to guarantee his contract — and got back an All-Star the last two seasons in return.
Cavaliers general manager Chris Grant called Deng “a tremendous defensive player that can impact the game on both ends of the court” in announcing the trade.
ROUNDUP
Nets 91, Hawks 86: Joe Johnson snapped out of a slump with 23 points against his former team, and host Brooklyn matched a season high with its third straight victory by beating Atlanta.
Mirza Teletovic scored 16 points and Alan Anderson added 14 starting in place of the injured Deron Williams as the Nets moved to 2-0 on four-game homestand that finishes with visits from Golden State on Wednesday and Miami on Friday.
Despite yet another injury to a key player, the Nets look ready to test themselves against those powerful teams after matching their three consecutive victories from Dec. 7-12.
Paul Millsap scored 16 points for the Hawks, who lost their third in a row to equal their worst stretch of the season.
Timberwolves 126, 76ers 95: Kevin Love scored 16 of his 26 points in a dominant third quarter and Nikola Pekovic had 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead Minnesota over host Philadelphia.
Kevin Martin scored 18 points and Corey Brewer had 15 to help the Timberwolves move back to .500 (17-17). Minnesota made 16 of 26 3-pointers.
Clippers 101, Magic 81: Darren Collison scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half and had seven assists in his second start at point guard since Chris Paul’s injury, leading host Los Angeles to a rout of Orlando.
Paul, who separated his right shoulder in Friday’s win at Dallas and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, sat behind the Clippers’ bench in a suit and tie while Collison orchestrated things without a hitch against the last-place team in the Southeast Division.
The Clippers enjoyed one of their best defensive efforts of the season, after surrendering 70 first-half points in each of their previous two games against Dallas and San Antonio — both on the road.