Bulls Acquire Davis, Williams and Jefferies from Toronto

"[This trade] not only provides us with size, but also with energy,” said John Paxson after acquiring Antonio Davis, Jerome Williams (above) and Chris Jefferies from the Raptors.

December 1, 2003 -- The Chicago Bulls today acquired forward/center Antonio Davis, forward Jerome Williams and forward Chris Jefferies from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for guard/forward Jalen Rose, forward Donyell Marshall and forward Lonny Baxter. This trade is conditional to all six players passing their physicals.

“This trade helps us address a couple of different areas, areas that we needed to get stronger in. It not only provides us with size, but also with energy,” said Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson.

“Those two factors alone will allow Scott [Skiles] more flexibility with our roster," he continued. "In order to get quality players, you have to be willing to part with quality players, but overall, this trade enhances the framework of our team.”

Davis, a 6-9, 245-pound forward/center, is averaging 8.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg (15th in the NBA) and 35.9 mpg in 15 starts this year. In seven of those 15 starts, Davis has posted double figures in points and rebounds, including three double-doubles. He is currently in his 11th season in the NBA (played in Greece and Italy from 1990-1993), after being selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round (45th overall) of the 1990 NBA Draft out of Texas-El Paso. Over his career, Davis has averaged 10.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.1 apg and 1.08 bpg, while shooting .451 from the field. He leaves Toronto as the franchise’s all-time leading rebounder, with 2,366 boards in 302 games.

Williams, a 6-9, 230-pound forward, has appeared in 15 games this season, including 12 starts, and is averaging 5.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 1.27 spg, while shooting .491 from the field. Nicknamed “Junkyard Dog,” Williams’ average of 11.0 defensive rebounds per 48 minutes ranks him seventh in the NBA for that category. For his career, Williams has averaged 6.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 1.08 spg, while making .506 of his shots from the field. In his eighth year, Williams was originally drafted by Detroit in the first round (26th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft out of Georgetown.

Davis

Jefferies

Jefferies, a 6-8, 215-pound forward, is in his second season in the NBA. Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round (27th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft out of Fresno State, he was part of a draft-day deal that sent his draft rights, Lindsay Hunter and a second-round draft pick to Toronto, in exchange for Tracy Murray, the draft rights to Kareem Rush and a second-round draft pick. Jefferies appeared in 51 games during his rookie season, including 10 starts, and averaged 3.9 ppg and 1.2 rpg, in 13.1 mpg. This season he has appeared in two games and has been on the Injured List since Nov. 9 with a lower back strain.

Rose, a 6-8, 217-pound guard/forward, appeared in 128 games for the Bulls, making 126 starts over the span of three seasons. During his time with Chicago, he averaged 21.4 ppg, 4.8 apg and 4.2 rpg. Through 16 appearances in 2003-04, he is averaging 13.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 3.5 apg, while shooting .375 from the floor. The Bulls acquired Rose as part of a seven-player trade with the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 19, 2002.

Marshall, a 6-9, 230-pound forward, was in his second season with the Bulls. Signed as a free agent on Aug. 16, 2002, Marshall played in 94 games, including 61 starts, and averaged 12.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.15 bpg and shot .454 from the field. On the year, he is averaging 8.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.25 bpg, while shooting .419 from the floor.

Baxter, a 6-8, 260-pound forward, was drafted by the Bulls in the second round (44th overall) of NBA Draft 2002. He appeared in 69 games, made one start, and averaged 4.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg, on .482 shooting. This season, he is averaging 4.3 ppg and 2.5 rpg, in 10.5 mpg, while shooting .551 from the floor.