Hornets reportedly sign Kelly Oubre Jr. to 2-year contract, Bucks acquire Grayson Allen

The Charlotte Hornets have agreed to terms with free agent small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. on a two-year, $26-million US contract, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The deal had been contingent upon the Hornets' trade with New Orleans involving Devonte Graham going through. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because the deal had not been finalized.

A six-year NBA veteran, Oubre has also had stops in Washington, Toronto and Phoenix.

Oubre played in 252 games over his first four seasons with the Wizards before being traded in 2018 to Phoenix, where he began to flourish. He averaged 18.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in his first season with the Suns while shooting a career-best 35.2 per cent from beyond the arc.

He was traded to the Warriors last November as Golden State tried to the fill the void of Klay Thompson, who tore his Achilles.

Oubre averaged 15.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in 2020-21, but shot just 31.6 per cent from 3-point range. He started 50 of 55 games but missed 15 games down the stretch due to a wrist injury.

He is a 32.6 per cent career 3-point shooter.

The six-foot-seven, 203-pound Oubre could serve as a backup to Gordon Hayward.

The Hornets announced Saturday they acquired Wes Iwundu, a protected 2022 first-round draft pick and cash considerations from the Pelicans and the draft rights to Tyler Harvey from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for sending Graham to New Orleans as a part of a three-team trade earlier this week. If the Pelicans don't make the playoffs next year, the Hornets would receive 2022 and 2024 second-round picks instead.

In the deal, New Orleans also acquired Jonas Valuncianas, as well as the draft rights to Trey Murphy and Brandon Boston.

Memphis received Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, the draft rights to Ziaire Williams, the draft rights to Jared Butler and a protected 2022 first-round draft pick from New Orleans (via the Los Angeles Lakers).

Iwundu, the 37th pick in the 2017 draft by the Orlando Magic, averaged 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game in 41 games with the Mavericks and Pelicans during the 2020-21 season. The four-year veteran is averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per game for his career while appearing in 223 career games with Orlando, Dallas and New Orleans.

Harvey was the 51st overall pick by the Orlando Magic in 2015.

Bucks ink Allen

The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired guard Grayson Allen from the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Sam Merrill and two future second-round picks.

Allen, 25, averaged 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 25.2 minutes for the Grizzlies this past season. He played 50 games and made 38 starts.

His 2020-21 season included a 26-point performance in a 128-115 victory over the Bucks.

Allen has shot 42.3 per cent overall and 38.1 per cent from 3-point range during his three-year career. Utah drafted him 21st overall out of Duke in 2018.

Merrill, 24, played 30 games and averaged 3 points, 1 rebound and 7.8 minutes as a rookie with the Bucks this past season. He shot 44.7 per cent from 3-point range. He played collegiately at Utah State and was the Mountain West player of the year in 2019.