The Toronto Raptors made a move at the NBA trade deadline yesterday, easing a glut at one position and satisfying a need at another.
As part of a late-breaking three-way transaction, the Raptors acquired seven-foot centre Patrick O’Bryant from the Boston Celtics while sending point guard Will Solomon to the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings will send a future second-round draft pick and cash to Boston to complete the transaction.
O’Bryant, the ninth pick in the 2006 draft, has been languishing on the Boston bench behind Kendrick Perkins and Glenn Davis and has played in just 26 games this season.
But the 22-year-old comes to a team starved for size behind Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani, and with Kris Humphries still out, O’Bryant should challenge Jake Voskuhl and little-used Nathan Jawai for playing time.
Bosh, meanwhile, is expected to return to the Raptors lineup Friday as Toronto starts a home-and-home series with the New York Knicks.
Deadline deals
• Oklahoma City acquired Thabo Sefolosha from the Chicago Bulls for a draft pick.
• The Houston Rockets acquired Kyle Lowry from the Memphis Grizzlies for a first-round pick.
• The Orlando Magic got Rafer Alston from the Rockets for Brian Cook and a pick.
• The Knicks acquired Larry Hughes from Chicago for Tim Thomas and Jerome James.
• The Bulls acquired Brad Miller and John Salmons late Wednesday from Sacramento for Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Michael Ruffin.
• The trade sending Tyson Chandler to the Thunder from New Orleans was rescinded after doctors expressed concern over a recurring toe injury.
