Hornets acquire Dale Ellis

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The games go on for the Charlotte Hornets after the
tragic death of Bobby Phills and the team today tended to the business of replacing him by
acquiring 16-year veteran guard Dale Ellis.

A week after Phills was killed in an auto accident, Ellis was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks
for second-round picks in the 2000 and 2002 drafts. Ellis' salary fits into a $2 million exception
given the team by the NBA and pushed the active roster to 12.

Ellis ranks second all-time in NBA history with 1,705 3-pointers and 4,231 3-point attempts, trailing
only Indiana's Reggie Miller.

"I was with Dale for two years in San Antonio," Hornets executive vice president of basketball
operations Bob Bass said. "In talkinng with Coach (Paul) Silas, there were two things we needed
-- a veteran player and a great shooter. Dale fit both of these needs."

In 18 games for the Bucks this season, Ellis has averaged 6.8 points and 18.0 minutes. He was
acquired by the Bucks with Danny Manning from the Orlando Magic on August 19 for Chris
Gatling and Armen Gilliam. He had been acquired by Orlando earlier in the summer from the
Seattle SuperSoics.

Ellis was selected to the NBA All-Star Game in 1989, when he won the Long Distance Shootout
and was selected All-NBA Third Team. He was named the league's Most Improved Player in
1987.

In 1,185 career games, Ellis has averaged 16.0 points.