Sat, Feb 23, 2008 - Page 20 News List

Cavaliers reshuffle pack with blockbuster three-team deal

AFP , CLEVELAND, OHIO

The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired former defensive player of the year Ben Wallace and swingman Joe Smith from the Chicago Bulls in an 11-player, three-team blockbuster deal on Thursday.

Cleveland also got forward Wally Szczerbiak and guard Delonte West from the Seattle SuperSonics, general manager Danny Ferry said on Thursday.

In exchange, the Cavaliers sent Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Shannon Brown to the Bulls and Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall to Seattle.

Cleveland also received Chicago's second-round selection in next year's draft and Seattle acquired Adrian Griffin from the Bulls.

"Our primary goal with this deal is to create a positive impact as we head through the final stretch of the season and into the playoffs," Ferry said.

"We were very methodical in the process to make sure it was the best deal possible for this team," he said.

Wallace has struggled this season in Chicago.

He has played in 50 games this season with the Bulls, averaging 5.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.

Wallace was also a member of the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons but fell out favor with Chicago fans.

"I'm used to being under the bus by myself, so that doesn't bother me," Wallace said.

"I had a good time here. I enjoyed being one of the guys. And I had a good season last year," he said.

"You come in and play hard and try to give what you give and not worry about what you can't control," he said.

The departure of Wallace will allow the Bulls to give more playing time to France's Joakim Noah.

"Even if Joakim is starting against guys much more experienced and gets in foul trouble, we have to get him on the floor," Paxson said.

It was a long-awaited trade for Cleveland, which grew unhappy with the oft-injured Hughes and sought a revamped roster in its push for a second straight trip to the NBA Finals.

The 24-year-old West is a capable combination guard with some promise. But he has yet to blossom in his first season with the SuperSonics after three with the Boston Celtics.

Szczerbiak, who has averaged 13.1 points this season, spreads the floor and gives the Cavaliers another shooter on a team which allows LeBron James to freelance and find teammates on the perimeter.

The 32-year-old Smith has averaged 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in his first season in Chicago. But his value most likely is his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

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