Celtics make last-minute trade, sending Abdel Nader to Thunder

The Celtics were on the cusp of waiving Abdel Nader prior to August 1st, but jumped at the chance to trade him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Rodney Purvis.

I wrote yesterday about Boston being just above the luxury tax threshold and the sensible course of trying to duck under it. This move by Danny Ainge is definitely a cost-cutting measure, in addition to having the benefit of giving Nader a chance to remain in the NBA. It is absolutely a no-brainer.

Purvis's contract is non-guaranteed, and the Celtics are expected to waive him once the trade is finalized. Here is the Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach on the transaction:

This is a cost-saving move for Boston, which had intended to waive…