February 19, 2002 -- The Chicago Bulls today acquired guards Jalen Rose, Travis Best and Norm Richardson along with a conditional second-round draft choice from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Ron Artest, guard Ron Mercer, center Brad Miller and guard Kevin Ollie.
“We are excited to acquire two players the caliber of Jalen Rose and Travis Best,” said Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry Krause.
“We feel Jalen is an outstanding all-around player who can play three positions offensively and defensively. He’s a very good passer, extremely unselfish, a fine scorer and in the prime of his career at age 29. His leadership qualities and versatility are an added plus.
“Travis is a proven scorer and defender and, at 29, also in his prime. We hated to trade Artest, Miller, Mercer and Ollie, but to get quality you have to give quality. One of the reasons we felt we could part with Artest and Mercer is the continuing outstanding play of rookie Trenton Hassell at both ends of the court. We think that in Eddy Curry and Dalibor Bagaric we have two big, young centers who will be valuable for many years to come.”
A 6-8, 217-pound guard/forward, Rose is averaging 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 53 starts this season. He has scored 20+ points on 18 occasions this season, including a career-high 43-point effort on opening night at New Jersey (10/30). Rose scored 38 points versus the Bulls at Conseco Fieldhouse (1/11) and has posted three double-doubles this season. Last season, Rose was one of only five NBA players to average at least 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists (Boston’s Antoine Walker, Charlotte’s Jamal Mashburn, the Lakers’ Kobe Byrant, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett), averaging a career-high 20.5 ppg with 5.0 rpg and 6.0 apg. Selected by the Denver Nuggets in the first round (13th overall) of the 1994 NBA Draft, Rose has averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds in his NBA career.
A 5-11, 185-pound guard, Best is averaging 6.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 44 games, including three starts, this season. He has scored in double-figures in six of his last seven games, reaching a season-high 18 points on two occasions. Last season, Best was one of the top sixth men in the NBA, averaging career-highs of 11.9 points and 6.1 assists for the Pacers, including a career-high 30 points, with a career-best 11 rebounds, at Dallas (11/2). Selected by the Pacers in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft, Best has averaged 8.1 points and 3.8 assists in seven seasons.
A 6-5, 190-pound guard, Richardson has appeared in three games this season. Signed by the Pacers as an undrafted free agent on September 21, 2001, Richardson ended his collegiate career at Hofstra as the school’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made (192) and sixth in scoring (1,677).
A 6-7, 246-pound forward, Artest appeared in 175 games, making 163 starts, in two-plus seasons with the Bulls. Selected by the Bulls in the first round (16th overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft, Artest averaged 12.5 points and 1.98 steals.
A 7-0, 261-pound center, Miller was signed by the Bulls as a free agent prior to the 2000-01 campaign. In 105 games with the Bulls, Miller averaged 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds. In his fourth NBA campaign, Miller has averaged 9.0 points and 8.4 rebounds in his career.
A 6-7, 210-pound guard, Mercer was signed as a free agent prior to the 2000-01 season. In his fifth NBA season, Mercer has averaged 17.0 points, shooting .433 from the floor, including 16.8 points this season.
A 6-2, 195-pound guard, Kevin Ollie was signed as a free agent prior to the 2001-02 season. The fifth-year pro is currently averaging career highs of 5.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists.