Ceballos Returned to Sender

Robert Horry, recently suspended for throwing a towel in the face of Phoenix Coach Danny Ainge, was traded to the Lakers in a four-player deal Friday that sent Cedric Ceballos back to the Suns.

Rumeal Robinson also went to Phoenix and Joe Kleine went to the Lakers. It was the second major trade in 16 days for the Suns, who acquired all-star guard Jason Kidd from Dallas in a multi-player deal Dec. 26.

Horry was suspended for two games without pay by the Suns this week for the incident involving Ainge during a game last Sunday night.

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said he isn’t worried about Horry’s recent behavior.

“What he did was wrong and he apologized,” Kupchak said. “Our best guess is he won’t do that here.”

The altercation occurred when Horry was pulled after missing a three-point shot. He screamed obscenities at Ainge and threw the towel before being restrained by teammates.

“The incident had nothing to do with this. We would have made the trade regardless,” Ainge said. “Robert was struggling in our system. He just never fit in. Cedric is a good player who can give us some scoring.

“We’re not trading Robert Horry because he was a problem here and we’re not trading for Cedric Ceballos because he’s been a problem in L.A. We had Cedric here for a while and he’s not a problem. I’m sure he’s very happy to be coming back.”

Ceballos, activated earlier in the day from the injured list, sustained a torn patella tendon in his right knee during a game Nov. 13 at San Antonio. He had sat out the Lakers’ last 28 games.

Ceballos, who began his NBA career in Phoenix, averaged 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in eight games as a starter this season.

“Cedric was disappointed,” Laker Coach Del Harris said. “He liked it here.”

Sun General Manager Bryan Colangelo said he has been assured Ceballos’ knee is fully healed and will be ready to play.

Ceballos and Robinson were expected to take physicals in Phoenix today.

Horry and Kleine are expected to play their first game with the Lakers next Tuesday night against Vancouver.

“I thought it was a pretty good trade,” said Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal, who played college basketball against Horry in the Southeastern Conference. “Robert Horry is used to playing with a big man. Joe Kleine is a great backup center.”

Last season, Ceballos left the Lakers without permission when his playing time was cut after Magic Johnson returned.

Both Harris and Kupchak denied that Ceballos’ AWOL trip to Arizona last spring had anything to do with trading him.

“He’s really been a wonderful person to be around since that time,” Kupchak said.