Turkish forward Ersan Ilyasova, enjoying a career-best season, was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Atlanta Hawks for injured Brazilian center Tiago Splitter as the NBA trade deadline neared.
The league’s transfer window slams shut Thursday afternoon ahead of the resumption of games after the NBA All-Star Game break as contenders try to stockpile talent for a playoff run while others try to build themselves into playoff teams or cut payroll in order to spend big on free agents after the season.
In the late Wednesday night deal, the 76ers also landed a second-round NBA Draft pick and the right to swap second-round picks with the Hawks in June’s NBA Draft.
Ilyasova, 29, began the campaign with Oklahoma City before being traded to the 76ers. He is averaging career highs of 14.3 points and 5.9 rebounds this season.
“Ersan is a true professional whose daily examples of hard work, focus and consistency have helped facilitate the ongoing growth of our program and culture,” 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said.
At 32-24, the Hawks rank fifth in the Eastern Conference while the 76ers, 21-35, have the third-worst record in the East, 5 1/2 games behind Detroit for the last playoff berth.
“We are excited to welcome Ersan,” said Hawks coach and president of basketball operations Mike Budenholzer. “He’s a high-character, proven veteran who we’ve liked for many years and believe fits well within our system.”
Splitter, 32, spent his first five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before being traded to the Hawks, but he has not played this season due to a hamstring injury.
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