76ers Acquire Smith From the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors, fearful of losing Joe Smith as a free agent after the season, traded the 1995 overall No. 1 draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday in a four-player deal.

Guard Jim Jackson and forward Clarence Weatherspoon were sent to the Warriors, who also shipped guard Brian Shaw to the 76ers.

“We had a chance to get a guy who was the No. 1 pick in the draft,” 76er Coach Larry Brown said. “I don’t see any downside in this.”

Smith, a 6-foot-10 forward, and Jackson will be free agents at the end of the season.

Smith, in the final year of a three-year, $8.53-million contract, was Golden State’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.3 points--down from 18.7 last season--and 6.9 rebounds.

Warrior General Manager Garry St. Jean said Golden State had talked to about 15 teams concerning a possible trade.

“I thought it was the best trade for us,” Warrior Coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “We got two quality players. I think they help us in areas where we needed help.”

Jackson, the fourth pick in the 1993 draft by the Dallas Mavericks, was traded for the third time in his career. Dallas traded him to New Jersey, which sent him to the 76ers in the 1997 draft-day deal in which the Nets got the rights to No. 2 pick Keith Van Horn.

The scoring average of Jackson, a powerfully built shooting guard, has declined every season since a career-high 25.7 with Dallas in 1994-95. He was averaging 13.7 points for Philadelphia.

Weatherspoon, averaging 8.4 points and seven rebounds, was Philadelphia’s first pick in the 1992 draft, ninth overall.

Shaw, a 6-6 guard in his ninth season, averaged 6.4 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 39 games this season for Golden State.

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Toronto General Manager Glen Grunwald has rejected guard Doug Christie’s request to be traded.

As recently as last Friday, Christie had said he wanted to stay in Toronto, despite the turmoil of late that has seen new ownership and star point guard Damon Stoudamire traded to Portland.

“I’m 27 years old and I’m not getting any younger. For me, maybe a situation of more of a contender would be a better situation for Doug Christie and his family,” Christie said.

Christie was acquired two years ago from the New York Knicks and was given the chance to thrive in Toronto with increased playing time and responsibility. Last summer, he signed a seven-year, $22-million contract.

“Doug is in the first year of a seven-year contract with the Raptors and we have no intention of trading him,” Grunwald said in a statement.

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Seattle activated Nate McMillan, who last played in the SuperSonics’ 1997 playoff series with Phoenix.

McMillan has been recovering from surgery to his right knee.

To make room on the roster, the SuperSonics placed guard James Cotton on the injured list because of a strained right calf.

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San Antonio center David Robinson missed his first game of the season, against Detroit, because of an ailing right knee.

Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich said that Robinson also would miss Thursday’s game at Dallas but could return for weekend games against Utah and Phoenix.