NBA ROUNDUP : Clippers Finish Deal for Williams

The Clippers completed a draft-day trade Tuesday, sending center Elmore Spencer to the Denver Nuggets for power forward-center Brian Williams.

The Clippers also renounced the rights to swingman Harold Ellis and forward Michael Smith, making room under the salary cap so that the deal, which had been held up because of the recent NBA lockout, could be consummated.

The Clippers also acquired forward Rodney Rogers and the rights to Oregon State guard Brent Barry, the 15th pick in the draft, from the Nuggets for the rights to Alabama forward Antonio McDyess, the No. 2 selection in the draft, and guard Randy Woods.

Ellis, who made $250,000 last season, has already signed with a team in Greece. Ellis averaged 3.7 points and 1.3 rebounds last season. Smith who made $135,000 last season, played 29 games for the Clippers, averaging 5.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 29 games.

The Clippers are counting on Williams, a 6-11 swingman, to play center in case Stanley Roberts, who has sat out the last two seasons because of Achilles’ tendon injuries, isn’t ready at the start of the season. Williams, who averaged 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds last season, is also expected to back up forward Loy Vaught.