The club announced today its second trade with Dallas in less than two weeks, acquiring veteran Darrell Armstrong and young forwards Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell in exchange for point guard Anthony Johnson.

The Pacers previously acquired swingman Marquis Daniels from Dallas for Austin Croshere.

“Darrell Armstrong is a good fit, a solid professional, a great guy in the locker room and someone who brings a lot of energy to a team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. “Both Powell and Marshall are young and talented players who possibly can help us and we’re excited to take a look at them. Their experience with a championship-caliber team like Dallas last season gives them the mentality of what it takes to win at the highest level."

Armstrong, a 38-year-old veteran free agent, reportedly agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract to facilitate the deal. He told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he hoped to bring leadership to the Indiana locker room.

"A lot has happened with that team since Reggie (Miller) left," Armstrong said. "I think they need that veteran leadership. My locker room presence and my spirit is something that they can use. I know how to keep guys loose. They have a chance to be better. They have some guys there that can play."

Johnson, 31, started 89 games the past two seasons, averaging 11.1 points and 5.0 assists in 53 starts in 2005-06. His final game with the franchise was the best of his career, a 40-point effort in a Game 6 loss to New Jersey in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

"We appreciate everything Anthony Johnson did for the organization, on and off the court," Bird said. "He performed well for us, both as a starter and as a backup.”

Armstrong would be the fourth point guard under contract with the Pacers, joining Jamaal Tinsley, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Orien Greene. He told the Star-Telegram he intends to retire after the 2006-07 season and plans to move into coaching.

Armstrong averaged 10.0 minutes, 2.1 points and 1.4 assists in 62 games with the Mavericks, playing much of the season with a torn rotator cuff. He has career averages of 10.1 points and 4.4 assists. Among the players he closely mentored in Dallas was Daniels.

Powell, a 6-9, 225-pound forward from N.C. State, averaged 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds in 37 games but finished well, averaging 5.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in April. Marshall, a 6-7, 190-pound swingman from Oakland (Mich.), averaged 3.1 points and 1.3 rebounds in 23 games. In nine starts, Marshall averaged 5.6 points and 2.1 rebounds.