Hawks GM Danny Ferry gained more of the financial flexibility he has sought by sending guard Willie Green to the Clippers in a sign-and-trade deal for the rights to Greek center Sofoklis Schortsanitis.
Schortsanitis signed a three-year contract with a club in Athens earlier this month and it is doubtful he will join Atlanta's roster anytime soon, if ever. The value for the Hawks is gaining a trade exception in the amount of Green's first-year salary with the Clippers, which wasn't immediately known.
A trade exception works as a credit the Hawks can use to make a trade while over the salary cap without meeting the usual salary-matching requirements. The exception expires one year after the date of the trade.
Green signed with the Hawks before last season and went on to post a career-best year in scoring efficiency. However, his return became unlikely once the Hawks signed free agent Lou Williams to a roster that is already heavy on guards.
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