Pistons trade starters F Laettner, C Mills to Dallas August 29, 2000 AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN (TICKER) -- The Detroit Pistons, who threw a monkey wrench into a four-team, 13-player trade, today engineered their second big deal in a week, sending forward Christian Laettner to the Dallas Mavericks. The Pistons, rebuilding since the loss of free agent forward Grant Hill to the Orlando Magic, today sent starters Laettner and Terry Mills to the Mavericks for forwards Cedric Ceballos and John Wallace, guard Eric Murdock and cash. After a jamming a blockbuster deal involving the Pistons, New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics and Los Angeles Lakers on August 21, the Pistons turned around the next day and acquired forward Billy Owens from the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard Lindsey Hunter. Detroit was not interested in the seven marginal players it would have received in the bigger deal, which would have sent Knicks center Patrick Ewing to the SuperSonics for forward Vin Baker. In that trade, Laettner was supposed to move from the Pistons to the Lakers, who are looking for a big forward to play alongside Shaquille O'Neal. Instead, he heads to Dallas with Mills to join another retooling team. "This is another piece to our puzzle," Mavericks general manager and coach Don Nelson said. "We felt that getting another big player was a priority this summer and we are pleased that Christian Laettner and Terry Mills are with the Mavericks. I expect Laettner to play two positions for us and they are both welcome additions to our team." The Pistons acquired two veterans in Ceballos and Murdock and a younger player yet to realize his potential in Wallace. Ceballos, a 6-7 forward, averaged 14.8 points and 5.5 rebounds over his 10-year career, which included stints with the Mavericks, Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. In 1994-95 with the Lakers, he averaged a career-high 21.7 points and was named to the All-Star team. Murdock will be joining his eighth team in nine years. The 6-1 point guard has career averages of 10.1 points and 4.9 assists. He spent 1999-2000 with the Los Angeles Clippers and was dealt to the Mavericks on draft night. Like Murdock, Wallace never played a game for Dallas as he was also picked up on draft night from the Knicks. The 6-9 forward was drafted by the Knicks in 1997 and has split four seasons between New York and Toronto. His career average of 8.8 points per game belies his offensive skills, but his suspect defense has limited his playing time. Laettner started all 82 games for the Pistons last season and averaged 12.2 points and 6.7 rebounds. In eight years, he has played for Minnesota and Atlanta before coming to Detroit before the 1998-99 season. He has one year at $6.35 million left on his contract. Laettner had a stellar collegiate career at Duke, where he teamed with Hill and became the first player to start in four Final Fours. He helped lead the Blue Devils to NCAA titles in 1991 and 1992. In his 10-year career with Denver, New Jersey, Miami and Detroit, the 6-10 Mills has shown a good touch from 3-point range while posting career averages of 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds. "Christian is a proven contributor who can bring rebounding, scoring and depth to our frontcourt," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. "Terry is a great 3-point shooter who will fit in nicely into Nellie's offense. Nellie and I are expected to have them both." Cuban, who took over as owner in the spring, has had Nelson wheeling and dealing this offseason. This was Dallas' sixth trade of the offseason, netting eight new players. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
