Mavericks, Warriors swap their top scorers in a nine-player deal
By Compiled from Times wires
Published August 19, 2003
DALLAS - The Mavericks finally made a major offseason move, acquiring Antawn Jamison in a nine-player trade with Golden State.
The Mavericks also got guard Jiri Welsch and forwards Danny Fortson and Chris Mills from the Warriors for guards Nick Van Exel, Avery Johnson and Antoine Rigaudeau, center Evan Eschmeyer and forward Popeye Jones in the deal Monday.
The 6-foot-9 Jamison has averaged 20.2 points in five NBA seasons and has been the Warriors' top scorer the past four seasons.
"This makes us bigger and younger and more versatile," Donnie Nelson, Mavs president of basketball operations, said. Van Exel was the Mavericks' leading scorer off the bench last season. During the playoffs, when Dallas advanced to the West final before losing to San Antonio, the 10-year veteran averaged 19.5 points, seven more than his regular-season average in 73 games.
After reaching the conference final, the Mavericks were unable to land any big-name free agents. San Antonio, Sacramento and the Lakers, the other top teams in the West, made moves to upgrade.
Golden State general manager Garry St. Jean said there were several advantages to the deal.
"In the short term we have added talented players to our roster while also providing an opportunity for some of our younger players to step up and play larger roles in our overall development," St. Jean said. "In the long term, this trade will provide us with some flexibility."
Jamison is entering the second year of his $80-million, six-year contract. Fortson had played 100 of 246 games in the three seasons since signing his $38-million, seven-year contract.
Mills, a 10-year veteran, enters the final year of his contract after averaging 4.8 points and 2.4 rebounds. Welsch was the Warriors' first-round draft pick in 2002 but averaged 1.6 points in 37 games.
Johnson, a 16-year veteran, has played 1,008 games with six different teams. Rigaudeau was a nine-time All-Star in Europe who played 11 games for the Mavericks, and Jones played 26 games for Dallas.
MAGIC: Orlando said Grant Hill, against the team's cautious wishes, will attempt to play before the 2003-04 season ends. The Magic wants Hill, who had four surgeries on his left ankle in three years, to continue rehab and return the next season. Hill had his last surgery March 16, and his rehab has been confined to nonweightbearing exercise.
NUGGETS: General manager Kiki Vandeweghe said shooting guard Jon Barry should sign this week. Barry spent the past two seasons with Detroit, averaging 6.9 points last season. Denver signed free-agent guard Earl Boykins to a five-year, $13.7-million contract. The 5-foot-5 Boykins averaged 8.8 points and 3.3 assists with Golden State last year.
NEW YORK 67, HOUSTON 64: Vickie Johnson scored 18 and the host Liberty pulled within a half-game of the final East playoff spot with three games left. The Comets were held scoreless over the final 2:10.
