Bulls Acquire McCray in Three-Team Deal

The Dallas Mavericks traded veteran forward Rodney McCray to the NBA champion Chicago Bulls on Friday in a deal also involving the Golden State Warriors.

The Mavericks received three draft choices, including Golden State’s first pick in 1993, provided that the Warriors aren’t in the lottery. If Golden State is, Dallas would get the No. 1 choice in the first subsequent season the Warriors make the playoffs.

The Bulls sent Dallas two conditional second-round choices and traded Byron Houston, the 27th pick in last June’s draft, to Golden State. By exchanging Houston for McCray, Chicago gets a proven, dependable player instead of a rookie.

McCray, 31, averaged nine points and six rebounds in a little more than 28 minutes last season. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after 1992-93.

“We are looking to either add young players or draft choices,” said Rick Sund, the Mavericks’ vice president for basketball operations.

Earlier in the off-season, the Mavericks traded guard Rolando Blackman to the New York Knicks for a first-round draft choice.

“Going into the 1992 draft, we felt we would be fortunate, given our position in the draft order, if we had a chance to choose a Latrell Sprewell or a Byron Houston,” Golden State Coach Don Nelson said.

Sprewell was the Warriors’ top pick in the draft, the 24th overall.