Dexter Pittman (right), acquired Feb. 21 by Memphis in a trade with Miami, guards against Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks during a preseason NBA game Oct. 7, 2012 in the Associated Press file photo (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland).By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Heat have traded backup center Dexter Pittman and a second-round pick in this year's draft to the Memphis Grizzlies for the rights to center Ricky Sanchez.
The teams struck the deal Thursday, not long before the NBA's 3 p.m. trading deadline.
Pittman appeared in only four games this season for Miami, where he was often either on the inactive list or playing for the team's Sioux Falls affiliate in the NBA Development League.
Over Pittman's three seasons, he played in 41 games, almost all as a reserve, and averaged 2.8 points.
Drafted by Miami in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, the University of Texas product was a member of Miami's 2012 NBA Championship squad.
Sanchez is playing in Argentina and does not count against one of Miami's 15 roster spots. Sanchez was selected by Portland in the second round of the 2005 draft, and has never appeared in the NBA. Memphis acquired Sanchez's draft rights from the Philadelphia 76ers on March 15, 2012.
Memphis now owns multiple second round draft picks in the 2013 NBA Draft.
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