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Draft pick exchanged in Byron Mullens, OKC Thunder-Charlotte Bobcats trade

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NBA Draft Examiner

Oklahoma City Thunder center Byron Mullens hasn't seen much playing time since being drafted in the first round of the '09 draft out of Ohio State, but that could change after the 7-footer was dealt to the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday.

Desperate for frontcourt depth with the departure of 2010-11 starting center Kwame Brown, the Bobcats sent a 2013 second-round draft pick to the Thunder in exchange for the seldom used center.

The successor to Greg Oden at Ohio State, Mullens averaged 8.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.1 bpg as a freshman for the Buckeyes during the 2008-09 campaign.

Originally selected by the Dallas Mavericks, Mullens was dealt to Oklahoma City on draft day for the rights to the 25th overall pick, Rodrigue Beaubois, and a future second-round draft choice.

Appearing in 26 games over the past two seasons, Mullens averaged 1.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in just under seven minutes per contest with the Thunder.

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© 2011 Neal J. Leitereg -- All Rights Reserved

Former 2009 first-round pick Byron Mullens could see an increase of minutes after being traded by Oklahoma City to Charlotte.
Former 2009 first-round pick Byron Mullens could see an increase of minutes after being traded by Oklahoma City to Charlotte.
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Rookie Class - Byron Mullens (2010 Clips)

Video: Rookie Class - Byron Mullens (2010 Clips)

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Neal Leitereg studied Imaginative Writing, Literature and Digital Publishing at Arizona State. As a California native, Neal has followed the California sports scene, including Pac-10 sports in general and USC athletics in particular, for many years. Contact Neal with your comments and questions.

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