Sports/Olympics / Basketball

NBA Blazers swing deal for Magloire
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-08-01 08:41

PORTLAND, United States - Jamaal Magliore, a former All-Star center, was obtained by the Portland Trail Blazers in a four-player deal that sent South Korean giant Ha Seung-Jin to Milwaukee.

Magloire, who became expendable when Australian star Andrew Bogut became the Bucks' center, joined the Trail Blazers in exchange for 7-foot-3 Ha, the first Korean player in the NBA, plus forward Brian Skinner and guard Steve Blake.

Ha, 20, has appeared in 46 games with Portland over the past two seasons, averaging 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds a game.

Magloire, 28, has one season remaining on an 8.3 million-dollar contract. He joined the Bucks last season from New Orleans and played alongside NBA rookie star Bogut during the Aussie's debut NBA campaign.

"Jamaal is a talented, big body that will give us options in our frontcourt and help us be more competitive against the Western Conference big men," Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan said.

Magloire had career averages of 9.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in five seasons with the Hornets before being traded to Milwaukee, where he averaged 9.2 points and 9.5 rebounds in 82 games.

"We're very excited," Trail Blazers president Steve Patterson said. "He made the All-Star team just two short years ago and was a big part of Milwaukee gaining a playoff spot in the East this past season.

"He's an excellent rebounder who gives us depth and talent up front, and you can never have too many quality bigs in the NBA."