76ers Get Coleman in Three-Team Deal

The Charlotte Hornets traded forward Derrick Coleman to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday in a three-team trade involving the Golden State Warriors.

The Hornets get forwards George Lynch, 31, Robert Traylor, 23, and Jerome Moiso, 23, from Philadelphia and forward Chris Porter, 23, from Golden State.

The Warriors get forward Cedric Henderson, 25, and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2005 from Philadelphia, as well as cash from Charlotte. The 76ers also get guard Vonteego Cummings, 24, and forward Corie Blount, 32, from Golden State.

The deal sends Coleman, 34, back to Philadelphia, where he spent three seasons before signing with the Hornets in 1998.

The Hornets had long been disenchanted with Coleman.

In 34 games last season, an out-of-shape Coleman averaged 8.1 points--less than half his 17.9 career average. He also shot 38% from the field and averaged 5.4 rebounds, both lows for his 12-year career.

A former No. 1 overall pick, Coleman was unhappy with being penciled in as the Hornets’ sixth man, saying, “I ain’t never been nothing but a starter.”

Philadelphia Coach Larry Brown sounded optimistic about the trade.

“My last 35 to 40 games with Derrick were pretty good,” he said. “He was probably our most popular player in the locker room. We have a group around him that will make him feel comfortable. I expect a lot from him.”

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The Milwaukee Bucks signed all-star forward Anthony Mason, 34, to a four-year, $21-million contract.

The Bucks engineered a three-team trade Monday night that cleared enough salary cap room for them to sign Mason, who averaged 16.1 points and 9.6 rebounds last season with the Miami Heat.

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NBC and Turner Sports said they raised their asking prices for commercials during NBA games to account for the additional viewers they expect from Michael Jordan’s return from retirement.

Though neither network would specify the increase, four media buyers said General Electric Co.’s NBC is asking about 14% more for time on its NBA telecasts and that AOL Time Warner Inc.’s Turner is asking as much as 25% more on its cable broadcasts.

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Former Laker forward Cedric Ceballos, 32, was waived by the Denver Nuggets.... The Minnesota Timberwolves waived forward Bill Curley, 29.... The Miami Heat released guard Rodney Buford, 23.... Red, white and blue basketballs will be used in ceremonial tipoffs before each NBA home opener, with the balls then auctioned to raise money for families of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. All 29 balls will be signed by players and coaches from the opposing teams.