Blazers trade Wells to Grizzlies

12.3.2003

Memphis, TN (Basketball News) - The Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday acquired swingman Bonzi Wells from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for swingman Wesley Person, a conditional first-round pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and cash considerations.

If the Grizzlies’ first-round choice in the 2004 draft is one of the top three picks, the team has the option to keep the selection.

The 27-year-old Wells was stripped of his team captaincy and suspended for two games by the Blazers after he cursed at head coach Maurice Cheeks. Wells was upset after Cheeks benched him for the final 16 minutes and 17 seconds of a game against Dallas on November 17.

Earlier in November, Wells was fined an undisclosed amount by the team after he made an obscene gesture to a fan and threw a towel and water bottle onto the court during a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Wells has spent his entire NBA career with Portland after the Trail Blazers acquired his draft rights from Detroit on January 21, 1999. In 13 games this season for the Blazers, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

The 32-year-old Person struggled for Memphis this season. In 16 games, he averaged only 5.2 points and 1.4 assists.

Person is in his 10th season in the NBA. He has played 650 career games for Phoenix, Cleveland and Memphis and has averaged 11.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest.

POR MEM

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