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Warriors, Trail Blazers swap 3 players
The Golden State Warriors traded point guard Nick Van Exel to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday for forward Dale Davis and guard Dan Dickau. Portland will be the fifth NBA team for Van Exel, whose future with Golden State probably was decided when the Warriors signed point guard Derek Fisher to a six-year, $37 million contract last week. The Warriors also have Speedy Claxton under contract for next season. "I think we addressed a need for us, and I also feel like it's a good fit for the guys that we have on our roster as well," said Chris Mullin, the Warriors' executive vice president of basketball operations. "It's a situation that could work out for both of us, and I hope that's what happens." Van Exel was injured for much of his only season with the Warriors, who acquired him from Dallas last summer in a nine-player trade involving Antawn Jamison. He averaged 12.6 points while playing just 39 games, leaving the team for good shortly after the All-Star break with a recurring knee injury. Van Exel will make approximately $12 million next season — the last guaranteed year on his contract. He made an impression on the Trail Blazers two seasons ago when his scoring helped the Mavericks win a playoff series against Portland. He has been a dependable scorer and playmaker throughout his career, and the Trail Blazers could use him at both guard positions alongside Damon Stoudamire and Derek Anderson. "It's a situation that helps both teams, and it makes sense," said Tony Dutt, Van Exel's agent. "With Nick in this situation and kind of on the back end of his career, Portland has a chance to win right away, and that's a good place for him." Davis, who will make $10 million next season in the last year of his contract, averaged 4.4 points and 5.2 rebounds as the physical heart of Portland's defense last season. He spent his first nine NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers before being traded to the Blazers four years ago. Mullin and Davis were teammates for three seasons in Indiana. "He's a guy that I loved having behind me, I know that," Mullin said. "I feel like he's got some good game left in him." The veteran big man will be a valuable mentor for the young players in Golden State's frontcourt, including Troy Murphy and rookie Andris Biedrins. The Warriors are determined to be a big player in next season's free agent market, and his expiring contract will help Golden State clear salary cap room next summer. Dickau, a third-year pro, was acquired by Portland from Atlanta in last February's trade involving Rasheed Wallace. Dickau will have a chance to make the Warriors' roster as the third-string point guard. "We want to get a real good look," Mullin said of the former Gonzaga star. "I haven't seen him a whole lot myself, but coaches feel like he's got something to add." Mullin has been busy in the last two weeks, re-signing center Adonal Foyle and outbidding several teams for Fisher while working on possible sign-and-trade deals for center Erick Dampier. And Golden State still might not be done: Mullin is evaluating several possible tweaks to his already revamped roster. |
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