from insidehoops.com
The Indiana Pacers announced Wednesday an eight-player deal with the Golden State Warriors. The Pacers received from the Warriors forwards Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu and guard Keith McLeod in exchange for forwards Al Harrington and Josh Powell and guards Stephen Jackson and Sarunas Jasikevicius.
“We feel we made a pretty significant trade for the franchise that will be good for both teams,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “Trades are always painful because you give up players you like, but in this case, we think it’s a good trade that works for both teams. We feel the players we got will make a significant difference in the franchise.”
The 6-9, 230-pound Dunleavy is in his fifth season out of Duke. In 39 games with the Warriors this season he averaged 11.4 points per game. Murphy, a 6-11 six-year veteran from Notre Dame, has played in 26 games, averaging 8.9 points per game. Diogu is in his second season out of Arizona State and is averaging 7.2 points per game in 17 games. McLeod, in his fourth season out of Bowling Green, has played in 26 games, averaging 5.3 points per game.
The players acquired from Golden State will not be in uniform Thursday night when the Pacers play at Miami. They are expected to be in uniform when the Pacers host the New York Knicks Saturday night in Conseco Fieldhouse.
"We are excited about this trade," said Warriors Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin. "As I've said on several occasions, we are always looking to make our basketball team better and, with this move, I think we have accomplished that goal. We have acquired players who will fit in very well with our particular style of basketball. As with any trade, we also had to surrender players that we like both on and off the court. I think this transaction will be good for both teams and all of the players involved."
well - Bird sounds pretty happy with this one
definetely it will be very interesting to see Saras (Jasikevicius) in Golden State
