December 3, 2003

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired swingman Wesley Person, a first round draft pick and cash from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Guard Bonzi Wells.

“In the era of the luxury tax, it is not always easy to make trades or move players with long-term contracts,” said Blazers General Manager John Nash. “We are happy to be getting a quality player and individual in Wesley Person, a veteran who can help provide leadership on the court and in the lockerroom, as well as a draft pick which will help the organization in the future.”

In addition to Person and a first round draft pick, the Blazers will receive an undisclosed amount of cash from Memphis. The Blazers will receive the Grizzlies first round pick next year provided it is not one of the first three selections in the draft.

If the pick is one of the draft’s top three selections, Portland would receive Memphis’ first round pick in the 2005 NBA Draft unless the Grizzlies have the first pick overall. In that case, the Blazers would get the Grizzlies top pick in the 2006 draft with no restrictions.

Person averaged 5.2 ppg and 1.4 apg in 16 games with Memphis this season. He owns career averages of 11.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 1.8 apg. Person’s best season was the 2001-2002 campaign when he started 78 games for Cleveland averaging 15.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.2 apg.

After playing collegiately at Auburn, Person was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round (23rd pick overall) in the 1994 NBA draft. He was traded to Cleveland on October 1, 1997 before going to Memphis in a June 2002 trade.

Click here to read notes from the Nash and Cheeks press conference.

Click here to view the introductory press conference.

Click here to read about the press conference.