| | Associated Press
MIAMI -- Pat Riley's loyalty has its limits.
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| Jones |
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| Mashburn |
The Miami Heat coach stuck with the core of his roster through
three years of playoff failure. But a third consecutive flop
against the New York Knicks in May exhausted Riley's patience, and
he revamped Miami's roster Tuesday by swinging a nine-player deal
with the Charlotte Hornets.
The blockbuster trade, the largest in Heat history, involved
four starters. Riley acquired three-time All-Star guard Eddie Jones
and forward Anthony Mason for forward P.J. Brown and guard Jamal
Mashburn.
"This is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to
do," Riley said in a statement. "Trading P.J. Brown and Jamal
Mashburn, two guys who have been crucial to our success, was very
unappealing and is the tough part of this business. However, change
was in order."
Confirmation of the trade was delayed until late Tuesday
afternoon, the first day of the free agent signing period, while
the NBA made sure the deal met salary cap requirements. The Heat
scheduled a news conference for Wednesday with Riley and Jones.
Also traded were Otis Thorpe, Tim James and Rodney Buford to
Charlotte, and Ricky Davis and 16-year veteran Dale Ellis to Miami.
The Heat have won four consecutive Atlantic Division titles, but
in the past three seasons they've won only one playoff series and
been eliminated by the archrival Knicks each time.
"We began this process four years ago and are now ready to take
off to another level," Riley said. "Sometimes change has to take
place in order to do that."
There has long been talk of the Heat's need to upgrade at
shooting guard. In past offseasons Riley courted Latrell Sprewell,
Mitch Richmond and Larry Hughes, with Brown and Mashburn often
mentioned as trade bait. But until this week, Riley was unwilling
to pull the trigger.
Jones, who averaged a career-high 20.1 points and started in the
NBA All-Star Game last season, got the team and the contract he
wanted -- a seven-year deal for at least $86 million. He considered
a free-agent offer from the Chicago Bulls but preferred to play in
South Florida, where he grew up and has a home.
"He's feeling great. It's a dream realized," said his agent,
Leon Rose. "He's just excited about the chance to win a
championship."
Jones, 28, joins two other established stars, center Alonzo
Mourning and point guard Tim Hardaway. His new teammates also
include backup point guard Anthony Carter, who accepted a one-year,
$1.2 million exception Tuesday to re-sign with the Heat.
"I always knew I wanted to be here and whatever it took for me
to sign that's what I was going to do," said Carter, a rookie last
season. "I'm going to do all I can to win a championship here."
Charlotte avoided losing Jones without compensation by signing
him to the seven-year contract, then trading him. They acquired
five players, including the hardworking Brown, 30, whom Riley
traded reluctantly.
"P.J. has good size and provides us with rebounding and a great
defensive presence, while Mashburn is a proven consistent scorer,"
Charlotte vice president Bob Bass said.
"I coached P.J. for three seasons in New Jersey, and I love his
unselfish, defensive style of play," Hornets coach Paul Silas
said. "Jamal will give us a consistent scorer, with a
long-distance threat, that will complement our front-line
players."
The trade reunites Riley and Mason, who had a turbulent
relationship when both were with the Knicks from 1991-95.
Mason, 33, was suspended twice while he played for Riley and has
been arrested four times while with the Hornets, most recently when
he was charged with battery on a police officer, inciting a riot
and resisting arrest in New Orleans' French Quarter last month.
His agent, Don Cronson, admitted Mason and trendy South Beach
near Miami make for a dangerous combination.
"It has occurred to me," Cronson said. "It's there like a
beacon, and I think he's going to be on his guard."
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AUDIO/VIDEO
 David Aldridge has analysis on a major trade and other NBA news.
RealVideo: 28.8
 Eddie Jones didn't think the trade would happen.
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Jamal Mashburn hopes to bring a winning attitude to the Hornets.
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Mashburn says that he is stepping into the perfect situation.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Pat Riley talks about Anthony Mason's desire to win.
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Tim Hardaway breaks down the deal that brings Eddie Jones to Miami.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Hornets coach Paul Silas is satisfied with the deal that sent Eddie Jones to Miami.
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Silas and the Hornets are still looking to take advantage of the free agent market.
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