Atlanta sends Rasheed to Detroit in three-team deal

Auburn Hills, MI (Basketball News) - The Atlanta Hawks have traded forward Rasheed Wallace to the Detroit Pistons as part of a three- team deal that also includes the Boston Celtics.

In addition to Wallace, Detroit also received guard Mike James from the Celtics. Meanwhile, Atlanta acquired forward Chris Mills from Boston and center Zeljko Rebraca and guard Bob Sura from Detroit. Also, the Hawks will obtain the rights to Milwaukee’s 2004 first-round draft choice, which Detroit previously acquired from Denver.

The Celtics get guards Chucky Atkins and Lindsey Hunter, both of whom were with the Pistons, Detroit’s 2004 first-round selection and cash considerations.

Wallace’s stay in Atlanta was brief. He played just one game for the Hawks, scoring 20 points and grabbing six rebounds in a loss to New Jersey on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old Wallace, who was dealt to Atlanta along with Wesley Person by Portland for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, center Theo Ratliff and guard Dan Dickau on February 9, averaged 17.0 points and 6.6 rebounds in 45 games this season for the Blazers.

The 6’11", 230-pounder was selected out of North Carolina by the then- Washington Bullets with the fourth overall pick in the 1995 draft and played just one season in Washington before being traded to Portland. Wallace, however, has led the league in technical fouls, has been suspended and fined on numerous occasions and was in trouble with the law during his stay in Portland.

For his career, Wallace has averaged 16.1 points and 6.7 rebounds over 610 games.

With the addition of Wallace, Detroit will have a potent starting lineup that consists of Ben Wallace at center, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince at the forwards and Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton in the backcourt.

James, 28, was having a solid season for the Celtics. He had started all 55 of Boston’s games this season and averaged 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists. James is expected to serve as Billups’ backup.

Playing in his third season in the NBA, James spent two campaigns with the Miami Heat before he joined the Celtics this past offseason.

The 29-year-old Atkins, who is in the midst of his fifth season in the league, averaged 6.2 points and 2.4 assists in 40 games for Detroit this season. He was originally traded by the Orlando Magic along with Ben Wallace to the Pistons for Grant Hill in August 2000. Atkins should get an opportunity to start at point guard for the Celtics.

The 33-year-old Hunter is playing in his 11th season in the league. Hunter, who was originally selected out of Jackson State by the Pistons in the first round (10th pick overall) of the 1993 NBA Draft, has also played for the Bucks, Raptors and Lakers.

Hunter had appeared in just 11 games this season for the Pistons.