Fortson ranked 4th in rebounds per game (11.2) in the NBA in 2001-02. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

"We've had some conversations with (regards to) Fortson, they've had some conversations with (regards to) Booth, and it's probably one of those trades that makes sense for both teams," Sund explained. "Dallas has been looking to add somebody that can shoot the ball from the center position, and we said at the end of the season last year we were going to try and strengthen our interior defense and rebounding. The acquisition of Danny, and with Nick Collison coming to our club, those are two players who bring us some toughness and who both are very good rebounders."

Fortson has established himself as one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Twice in his career - 1998-99, while in Denver, and 2001-02 in Golden State - Fortson has averaged better than 11 rebounds per game to rank in the NBA's top five in that category. Last season, he averaged just 4.5 rebounds per game (along with 3.9 points) - but in just 11.2 minutes played, making him one of the league's best rebounders on a per-minute basis.

Combined with Collison, who finished third in Rocky Mountain Revue action over the last two weeks with an average of 7.3 rebounds per game, Fortson should improve a Sonics team that finished 27th in the NBA in rebounding percentage in 2003-04, pulling down 47.8% of available rebounds. Individually, Fortson grabbed 21.8% of rebounds available to him last season, the best mark in the league.

Sund also likes the positional flexibility adding Collison and Fortson gives the Sonics up front. After drafting high schooler Robert Swift in the first round of this June's Draft, the Sonics had four players who primarily played center on the roster. Now, they have three, as well as Collison and Fortson, who are power forwards capable of playing in the middle. That flexibility means there is no pressure on Swift to contribute as an 18-year-old rookie.

"With us, the big thing we're emphasizing is now Nick is a four/five. All of our players, with the exception of basically Jerome and Luke, are versatile enough to play multiple positions, and that's a big plus for teams," said Sund, noting that successful teams tend to be loaded with versatile players.

As for Fortson, he largely played power forward before last season, when the Mavericks depth at the position with All-Stars Dirk Nowitzki and Antoine Walker, along with the presence of just one true center (Shawn Bradley) in the Dallas rotation, meant Fortson played heavy minutes in the middle at just 6-8. According to 82games.com, 68.5% of Fortson's minutes last season came alongside Nowitzki. Fortson was successful in that role, holding opposing centers to 16.6 points per 48 minutes. Dallas allowed fewer points to centers than any other position.

With Nowitzki and Walker out of the picture and Collison splitting his time at both post positions, Fortson should see more action than he did with the Mavericks. As a result, while he has yet to reach Fortson since the trade, Sund is confident that he will be excited for the opportunity.

"With Nowitzki getting all his minutes at the four spot, and then you have Antoine Walker getting his minutes at the four spot, it's kind of a situation where he was the odd man out," Sund said.

Fortson, a seven-year veteran, has averaged 8.9 points and 8.0 rebounds in 341 NBA career games, including two seasons where he averaged double figures in both points and rebounds. Fortson ranked fourth in the league in rebounds per game during the 1998-99 (11.6) and 2001-02 (11.7) seasons.

Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (10th pick overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft, Fortson was traded to Denver on draft day along with Johnny Newman and Joe Wolf for Ervin Johnson. He has also played with Boston and Golden State during his NBA career.

Booth, a five-year veteran, signed with the Sonics as a free agent on Aug. 16, 2001. He averaged 4.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.11 blocks in 133 career games with the Sonics. Originally selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round (35th pick overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft, Booth posted career averages of 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.37 blocks in 199 NBA games.