Wizards trade fifth pick in draft to Minnesota

Source: Agencies  |   2009-6-25  |     ONLINE EDITION

THE Washington Wizards have traded the number five pick in today's draft and three players to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Mike Miller and Randy Foye.

In addition to the pick the Timberwolves acquired reserves Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov, the Wizards said on Wednesday.

Minnesota, 24-58 last season, now has four selections in the first round of the draft including the sixth, 18th and 28th.

Miller, 29, is a swingman who has averaged 13.9 points and five rebounds per game over nine NBA seasons in Orlando, Memphis and Minnesota.

The 25-year-old Foye averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists this season in Minnesota, his third pro campaign.

"Their skills compliment our core very well and they will provide a boost as we re-establish ourselves as a contender in the Eastern Conference," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement.

The trade reduces Washington's payroll to about US$76 million.

Miller, who will become a restricted free agent next year, will earn US$9.75 million next season in the last year of his contract, while guard Foye will earn US$3.58 million, the Washington Post reported.

Injury-depleted Washington had the worst record in the East last season at 19-63.