Greensboro Sports

Posted By Andy Durham on November 16, 2009

from www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The Golden State Warriors found a home for the disgruntled swingman Stephen Jackson on Monday, sending him to the Charlotte Bobcats in a four-player deal that pairs him with coach Larry Brown.

The Bobcats sent shooting guard Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic to the Warriors for Jackson and guard Acie Law.

The deal gives Jackson his wish: a ticket out of town after his difficult relationship with Warriors coach Don Nelson, who acknowledged last week they had been trying to trade him.

Charlotte takes on the three-year, $28 million extension Jackson signed last year, while Golden State inherits Radmanovic’s deal, worth about $13.5 million over this season and next. Bell and Law are in the final year of their deals.

“We are excited to add a player of Stephen’s caliber to our franchise,” Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said. “He is coming off arguably the best season of his career and we believe he will help our team on both ends of the floor with his scoring and defensive abilities.”

The 6-foot-8 Jackson gives Charlotte, the NBA’s lowest-scoring team, an immediate offensive boost. He’s averaging 16.6 points in nine games this season.

But he also brings off-court baggage, from suspensions to his recent trade demands and a sideline blowup with Nelson in an exhibition game. He recently relinquished his captain title with Golden State.

The 33-year-old Bell departs after being acquired by Charlotte from Phoenix in a trade less than a year ago. He’s been playing this season with a partially torn ligament in his left wrist and is averaging 12 points.

Radmanovic was also acquired last season in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Law is averaging 6.2 points.

This marks the fifth trade in less than a year since Brown took over as coach.

Categories: Professional
Tags: