The Miami HEAT announced today that they have acquired All-Star forward Antoine Walker from the Boston Celtics, guard Jason Williams, forward James Posey, and guard Andre Emmett from the Memphis Grizzlies and the draft rights to center Roberto Duenas from the New Orleans Hornets in a five-team trade. The HEAT traded Eddie Jones to the Memphis Grizzlies, Rasual Butler to the New Orleans Hornets, and a 2006 second round draft pick, a conditional second round draft pick, Qyntel Woods and the draft rights to Albert Miralles to the Boston Celtics. Additionally, Memphis sent Greg Ostertag to the Utah Jazz and the Jazz sent Curtis Borchardt to the Celtics, Raul Lopez to the Grizzlies and Kirk Snyder to the Hornets.
�We feel like with this trade we traded a lot, but we got back three quality players,� said HEAT President Pat Riley. �Antoine Walker is one of the very best multi-faceted, versatile players in this game. I think his numbers have shown throughout his career that he has been consistent year-in and year-out, providing points and rebounds. He is able to handle the ball, pass it, make plays, shoot threes and rebound the ball. There isn�t anyone in this league better at doing that. I believe that he will bring a tremendous, versatile, play-making, scoring, rebounding dimension to our team. He is in his prime and I think he will pair up brilliantly with Shaquille, Dwyane and the rest of the team.
�Outside of Steve Nash and Jason Kidd, there isn�t a better open-floor, half-court playmaker in the league than Jason Williams. His ability to handle the ball, see the floor and hit the open man is as good as any point guard. He is a very athletic, quick, explosive scorer and has great experience. One of the reasons why we are making the trade is that we haven�t had anyone here like that since Tim Hardaway left.
�James Posey is going to be the perfect compliment to Shaq, Dwyane, Walker, Williams, Udonis, etc. because he is a defense-oriented, slashing player who can run the break, play above the rim and will make the open three.