Celtics Acquire Atkins & Hunter From Pistons
CELTICS TRADE MIKE JAMES AND CHRIS MILLS IN THREE-TEAM DEAL
BOSTON, MA, Feb. 19 -- The Boston Celtics announced today that they have acquired guards Chucky Atkins and Lindsey Hunter from the Detroit Pistons, along with Detroit’s 2004 first round draft selection and cash considerations in a three-team trade also involving the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics sent Mike James to the Pistons and Chris Mills to the Hawks. In turn, the Pistons acquired forward Rasheed Wallace from Atlanta, and sent center Zeljko Rebraca, guard Bob Sura and a first round draft selection (originally belonging to Milwaukee) to Atlanta.
Atkins, now playing in his fifth season, has spent the last three seasons with the Pistons. In 40 games this year, the 5-11, 160-pound guard is averaging 6.2 points, 2.4 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game. In his five year career (347 games), Atkins is averaging 9.9 points, 3.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game. Last season, he helped the Pistons reach the Eastern Conference Finals by averaging 6.1 points, 1.5 assists and 1.00 steals in 17 playoff games.
Lindsey Hunter, currently playing in his 11th NBA season, has appeared in 11 games for the Pistons this season. He is currently averaging 3.7 points, 1.5 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. To date, Hunter has logged 692 career games, with averages of 10.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.35 steals in 28.8 minutes per game. He was in his second stint with the Pistons, after having played the first seven seasons of his career in Detroit.
Mike James, who signed as a free agent with the Celtics on July 25, 2003, has appeared in 55 games for the Celtics this season. He is currently averaging 10.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game.
Chris Mills was acquired in an October 20, 2003 trade and has not appeared in any games for the Celtics. He has spent the entire season on the Injured List with bone spurs in his right achilles.
