Mavericks Trade Aguirre to Pistons

The Dallas Mavericks today traded forward Mark Aguirre to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for forward Adrian Dantley and the Pistons’ first-round draft choice in 1991.

If the Mavericks take part in the 1988-89 Western Conference finals, the Pistons also would receive Cleveland’s 1989 second-round draft pick, obtained by Dallas in June, 1986, in exchange for Mark Price. The Pistons also would receive the Mavericks’ 1991 second-round draft choice, according to a statement released by the Mavericks.

“The trade of Mark Aguirre from the Dallas Mavericks became inevitable,” said Mavericks chief officer and general manager Norm Sonju. “It was important to us to attempt to replace his scoring, because when Mark’s game is on he’s a very effective scorer, both from the low post and outside.”

Dantley, who will be 33 on Feb. 28, is the 10th-leading scorer in NBA history. Among active players, only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Moses Malone have scored more than Dantley’s 21,830 career points.

In 42 games with the Pistons this season he has averaged 18.4 points per game with .521 shooting.

It was uncertain whether Dantley will be available to play in Dallas’ Thursday home game against Miami, the statement by the Mavericks said.

“This is the second time I’ve hooked up with Adrian,” Sonju said. “He was the rookie of the year in the ‘76-77 season when I joined the Buffalo Braves as president and general manager. He’s been one of the truly incredible scorers in NBA history.”

Aguirre said he was sorry he would have to leave the Mavericks and said, “I love (owner) Donald Carter till I die.

“The organization felt something needed to be done but in my heart I will always be a Maverick. I feel very close to Mr. Carter and many people in the organization and I can’t get rid of that. I have so many ties here that me and Angela will live here in the off-season.”

Aguirre said he was “misunderstood by the press in a lot of situations,” but said “the fans were great here. I had a good relationship with them.

“I’m going to get out of here as soon as I can. I’m gone.”

The Pistons play at Sacramento on Thursday, and Aguirre will join his buddy Isiah Thomas.

“I’m going to Detroit to play basketball,” he said. “Isiah and I had always talked about being on the same team since grade school.”