Pistons Deal Laettner to Dallas

ByABC News
August 29, 2000, 11:21 PM

D A L L A S, Aug. 29 -- Christian Laettner, who almost went to the NBAchampion Los Angeles Lakers in a proposed four-team deal, insteadwas traded today by the Detroit Pistons to Dallas.

Laettner and Terry Mills, another veteran forward, are goingfrom Detroit to the Mavericks in exchange for forwards CedricCeballos and John Wallace, guard Eric Murdock and cash. Wallace andMurdock never played a game for Dallas, having been acquired by theMavs in separate trades on draft night in June.

Killed Blockbuster Deal

This deal is much less involved than the proposed megadealearlier this month in which Laettner would have gone to the Lakers.That deal, which fell apart last week, also would have involved theSuperSonics and Knicks and included Patrick Ewing, Glen Rice andVin Baker among at least 11 players included.

Detroit reportedly killed what would have been the largest dealin NBA history, and then reached an agreement Tuesday with theMavericks.

Laettner (6-foot-11), a former first-round draft pick from Duke,averaged 12.2 points and 6.7 rebounds as he started all 82 gameslast season for Detroit. In his seven NBA seasons, he has averaged15.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.

This is another piece to our puzzle, Mavericks generalmanager and head coach Don Nelson said. We felt that gettinganother big player was a priority this summer.

Will Make $6.7M This Season

Laettner, who will split time with center Shawn Bradley and playforward in Dallas, was in the last year of his contract in Detroit.His contract is worth $6.7 million this season.

Mills, a 10th-year pro, started 78 games last season andaveraged 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds. Mills played for NCAAchampion Michigan in 1989 before Laettner helped Duke win NCAAtitles in 1991 and 1992.

Ceballos, a 6-7 forward and 10-year NBA veteran, averaged 16.6points and 6.7 rebounds last season.

Christian is a proven contributor who can bring rebounding,scoring and depth to our front court. Terry is a great 3-pointshooter who will fit in nicely into Nellies offense, Mavericksowner Mark Cuban said.