Dealin' in Big D
Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - The Dallas Mavericks have made the first blockbuster trade of 2009-10, acquiring forward Caron Butler, centre Brendan Haywood, guard DeShawn Stevenson and cash considerations from the Wizards in a seven-player deal.
Washington will receive forward Josh Howard, forward/center Drew Gooden, forward James Singleton and guard/forward Quinton Ross.
The move marks the start of what looks to be a rebuilding project for the Wizards, while it clearly strengthens Dallas' hopes to contend for a championship this season and beyond.
"We are more than excited to welcome Caron, Brendan and DeShawn to the Mavericks family," Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "Caron is an established professional and an All-Star with the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Brendan with solidify our center position with athleticism, shot blocking and defense. DeShawn has also shown that he can be a talented asset to this team."
Washington, which has struggled all season to the tune of a 17-33 record, has been mired in the controversy surrounding star guard Gilbert Arenas. Arenas brought several guns into the Wizards' locker room in late December and was charged with misdemeanor gun possession. He later mocked the incident, prompting NBA Commissioner David Stern to suspend him for the remainder of the season. He has since apologized through an editorial piece in the Washington Post.
Butler is the centrepiece to the deal, as he has averaged 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds in 47 games this season for Washington. He has been with the Wizards since the 2005-06 season and is under contract through 2011.
Haywood, the Wizards' leading rebounder with 10.3 caroms per game, figures to provide Dallas with another inside presence before he becomes a free agent following this season. The 30-year-old has spent his entire nine-season career with Washington since being drafted in 2001.
Howard, who has spent all seven of his NBA seasons with the Mavericks, will become the second leading active player on the Wizards roster with 15.3 points per game in 2009-10. He has struggled through some injuries this season and has played in just 31 games.
Gooden is currently in his eighth season in the league and seventh team and is averaging 8.9 points and 6.9 rebounds in 46 games for the Mavs.
"This trade gave us a good opportunity to change our short-term future and improve our long-term future," said Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld. "It accomplished two goals by giving us financial flexibility and bringing a new look and energy to the roster."
Both Howard and Gooden can become free agents this offseason. Howard has a team option at more than $11 million for 2010-11.
"We would like to thank these four players for their valuable contributions," Nelson said. "It is especially difficult to part with Josh. He began his career as a Maverick and we have watched him grow. We appreciate what Josh has helped this franchise accomplish."
Stevenson has played sparingly for Washington this season and is averaging 2.2 points in 15.4 minutes through 40 games. Singleton has averaged 2.4 points in 8.4 minutes for Dallas, while Ross is averaging 2.0 points in 11.1 minutes of playing time.
This marks the first mega deal between the clubs since the summer of 2004, when the Mavs sent current Wizards forward Antawn Jamison to Washington in exchange for Jerry Stackhouse, Christian Laettner, and current Nets guard Devin Harris, who had been drafted fifth overall that season. Jamison is currently the leading scorer on Washington in the absence of Arenas, averaging 20.5 points per game.
