Hornets acquire veteran Daniels in three-team deal

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Guards were the focus in a three-team deal Wednesday between the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets.

The Hornets acquired veteran guard Antonio Daniels from the Wizards and sent point guard Mike James to Washington. The Grizzlies acquired a conditional future first-round draft pick from the Wizards for former first-round pick Javaris Crittenton. New Orleans also gets a conditional future second-round pick from Memphis in the deal.

The Wizards also are waiving guard Dee Brown.

"We are pleased to reacquire our first round pick from Washington," Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace said in a statement released by the team. "Now we possess all our future first round picks and have complete flexibility, if needed, for future deals. The organization also wishes Javaris all the best with the Wizards."

Washington originally received Memphis' future first round pick in a deal that sent Juan Carlos Navarro to Memphis on Aug. 17, 2007. Navarro, who was named to the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 10.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 82 games last season, signed with his former Spanish club F.C. Barcelona during the summer.

The Grizzlies will retain the right to match any free agent offer he receives should Navarro decide to return to the NBA.

RELATED LINKS

• WashingtonWizards.com: Official Statement on trade
• Hornets.com: Official Statement on trade
• Grizzlies.com: Official Statement on trade

Crittenton has averaged 2.7 points per game and shot .467 shooting in 6.3 minutes per game with the Grizzlies, appearing in seven games. He came to Memphis last season in the blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Lakers that sent Pau Gasol to L.A.

Daniels played in 13 games this season, averaging 5.1 ppg, 3.6 apg while playing 22.2 mpg. The 11-year veteran served mostly as the backup to Gilbert Arenas in Washington and will likely serve a similar role under Paul with the Hornets. New Orleans lost prized backup Janerro Pargo in the offseason when he decided to take a contract offer overseas.

"We are excited to get a player of Antonio's caliber," said Hornets GM Jeff Bower said in a statement released by the team. "He is a guard with excellent size, versatility and toughness. Daniels is also a proven veteran who has won a championship and we look forward to all of those attributes strengthening our bench."

James, who the Hornets acquired last season in a trade with the Rockets, saw his minutes dwindle this season in New Orleans. He averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.0 apg in 9.3 minutes per game.

"This trade strengthens and energizes our backcourt by giving us a veteran guard in Mike James who can help us immediately with his stability and scoring ability and a young guard in Javaris Crittenton who can help us now and in the future with his athleticism," Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement. "We're excited to welcome both players to Washington, but we're also appreciative of what Antonio did for this team during his three-plus years here and we wish him the best."