Heat ship Cook to Thunder in pre-Draft trade

MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Heat wanted to clear more cap space for free agency. The Oklahoma City Thunder wanted a shooter to boost their 3-point corps.

What might be a win-win was struck Wednesday.

The Heat traded shooting guard Daequan Cook and the No. 18 selection in Thursday's draft to the Thunder, in exchange for the No. 32 pick. Cook was due to make about $2.2 million next season, and Miami no longer has the $1.2 million in a salary-cap hold for what was its first-round selection.

"With this move, we are continuing with what we set out to do the day we decided to re-build the team," Heat president Pat Riley said. "That is to put together the best team possible, and sometimes that process requires addition by subtraction. This is just one of many moves we have made to continue to build this team."

So in short, the Heat found more money to spend when free agency opens July 1.

"We are pleased to add Daequan Cook to the Thunder roster," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. "He will add depth and shooting to our backcourt."

Which they needed. The Thunder ranked 25th in the NBA in 3-point shooting last season, making around 34 percent. And Cook is a former NBA 3-point shootout champion, although he struggled this past season and lost his spot within the Heat rotation.

Cook averaged 5.0 points in 45 games, hitting only 40 of his 126 attempts from 3-point range.

The move leaves Miami with four second-round picks in Thursday's draft. And it positions the Thunder to make a splash on draft night. Oklahoma City currently holds three first-round picks -- Nos. 18, 21, 26 -- as well as the No. 51 selection.