Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has acquired guard Eric Maynor from the Utah Jazz in exchange for the draft rights to Peter Fehse. To consummate the transaction the Thunder also assumes the contract of forward Matt Harpring. Harpring will not report to Oklahoma City. “We are pleased to add Eric Maynor to our organization,” said Presti. “Eric possesses a work ethic and team first mentality that we feel will help us in our continued growth.”

Maynor was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (20^th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft. The 6-3 guard is averaging 5.2 points, 3.1 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 26 games with the Jazz this season. The Raeford, N.C. native currently ranks fourth in assists, 19^th in steals and 24^th in scoring among NBA Rookies.

The Thunder organization originally drafted Fehse in the second round (49^th overall) in the 2002 NBA Draft. In order to complete the transaction the Thunder has waived guards Shaun Livingston and Mike Wilks. “This was a difficult decision as we appreciate Shaun and Mike’s contributions to this basketball team on and off the floor,” added Presti. “We wish them nothing but continued success.”

Wow. I’m a little stunned. But let me say, I LOVE this deal. Love it in every way. I loved Eric Maynor before the draft and I love him today. Did I say love yet? I’m completely convinced that he’s going to be a solid role playing backup point guard at some point. I had actually hoped OKC would take him with its second pick last June. And to acquire him for virtually nothing, well, that makes me happy. (Maynor’s season stats)

Taking on Harpring’s contract is actually something to not be overlooked, especially if Presti decides to hold on to it. Combine Harpring’s $6.5M with Etan Thomas’s nearly $8M and the Thunder has some SERIOUS trade bait for the deadline. (Harpring’s contract can be traded before the deadline still because he hasn’t officially retired yet.) In the trade, Utah saved around $9 million. That’s why they did it.

I’m sad to see Shaun Livingston go though. I truly am. A total class act and a guy that’s fighting to come back from a devastating injury. I really hoped he would work out. But with a mind toward what’s best for the Oklahoma City Thunder, this is a home run.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will sign free agent guard Mike Wilks, InsideHoops.com has learned.

Wilks’ agent Bill Neff confirmed to InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that the team will soon add the 30-year-old veteran, who has career averages of 2.5 points and 1.2 assists per game.

Wilkes is a 5-10, 180-pound point guard and played for three different teams in the 2007-08 season and was not in the NBA in 2008-09. Obviously this is just a short term fix while Kevin Ollie and Shaun Livingston get healthy.