|
|
|
Friday, January 26, 2001
Suns get Del Negro in 3-for-1 deal
Associated Press
|
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Phoenix Suns acquired guard Vinny Del
Negro from the Golden State Warriors on Friday in exchange for
reserves Corie Blount, Paul McPherson and Ruben Garces.
| |  | |
| Del Negro |
Del Negro, in his 12th NBA season, adds experience and
versatility to a Suns backcourt that is expected to be without
Anfernee Hardaway for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
Del Negro, 34, has averaged 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.3
assists in 733 career games, which includes stints in Milwaukee,
San Antonio and Sacramento.
He was in his first season with Golden State, averaging 2.7
points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 29 games while playing
behind Larry Hughes and Chris Mullin. Del Negro has missed the
Warriors' last three games with bone spurs in his left ankle.
"They just felt they needed a veteran guard who could play both
positions," Warriors assistant general manager Gary Fitzsimmons
said. "It was a good situation for Vinny and a good opportunity
for us to add depth, and that's why we did it."
The trade is contingent on all four players passing physical
examinations this weekend. Both Del Negro's ankle and Blount's
troublesome knees must be approved by their respective teams'
doctors.
Blount, in his second season with the Suns, averaged 1.8 points
and 2.8 rebounds in 30 games while moving in and out of coach Scott
Skiles' doghouse. But the Warriors, the league's worst defensive
team, can use the defensive acumen Blount displayed during his 3{
seasons with the Lakers.
Fitzsimmons said Blount was under contract to the Suns through
this season with a player option for next year, but Blount waived
his option to make the trade work. The NBA won't allow veterans on
one-year contracts to be traded.
"He's very excited to come here," Fitzsimmons said. "All of
them are excited."
The trade of the 6-foot-10 Blount is evidence that Phoenix is
pleased with the progress of 7-foot-1 rookie Jake Tsakalidis.
Golden State is Blount's fifth team in eight seasons.
McPherson was an undrafted rookie out of DePaul who had some big
moments in sporadic court time this season. He played in 33 games,
averaging 3.4 points and 1.5 rebounds while showing raw potential.
With the Warriors, he will have time to develop behind Hughes
and improve his inconsistent shot. Golden State has tracked
McPherson's progress ever since he made an impressive showing in a
summer league.
"That was the hardest part of (Phoenix's) part of the deal -- giving him up," Fitzsimmons said of McPherson. "They think he can
be a player. We think this guy has a significant potential and
upside."
Garces, a free agent who played the last two seasons in the CBA,
has played in 10 games this season. The 6-9 Panamanian averaged 3.4
points and 1.5 rebounds.
In a related move, the Warriors released forward Chucky Brown
from his 10-day contract. Brown, who set an NBA record by joining
his 11th team in Golden State, saw action in six games this season
and played well, but the league required the Warriors to release
him.
Golden State has 13 players under contract, one more than the
league limit. The Warriors, who have three players on injured
reserve and two more who didn't play in Friday night's game against
Seattle, have a special dispensation from the NBA allowing them to
carry extra players.
|
|
ALSO SEE
Kidd on his return: 'I needed to get back'
|
|
