The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant, a deal that clears several million in roster salary for the Thunder, league sources told The Vertical.

The Thunder sent veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova and a future first-round pick (protected Nos. 1-20) to the 76ers, league sources said. The pick turns into two future second-round picks if not conveyed, sources said. The earliest the pick could be conveyed is 2020 because the Thunder owe Utah a first-round selection in 2018.

The Thunder had been intrigued with making a deal for Grant for several months and finally struck a deal for the athletic forward Tuesday. Grant averaged 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 52 starts for the Sixers a season ago.

The Thunder have been trying to find an athletic forward to complement their roster and pursued Grant as a short-term solution. Oklahoma City has maintained a strong interest in making a deal for Sacramento forward Rudy Gay, but the Grant deal allows the franchise to save money with the departure of Ilyasova’s $8.4 million contract this season.

The deal moves the Thunder $7.1 million below the salary cap.

The Sixers found Grant to be expendable with the arrival of several young wing players, including Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.

Grant, 22, was the 39th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft out of Syracuse.

More NBA coverage from The Vertical: