MIAMI, Florida, United States of America -- The Miami Heat, who missed reaching the National Basketball Association finals by one game, acquired three-time All-Star forward Antoine Walker from Boston in a five-team, 13-player deal.
Walker was the centerpiece of the largest trade in NBA history. The deal also involved Memphis, New Orleans and Utah.
The previous biggest trade in league history came in 2000, when the New York Knicks dealt Patrick Ewing in a four-team, 12-player swap.
The Heat also nabbed point guard Jason Williams, shooting guard Andre Emmett and forward James Posey from Memphis, while sending guard Eddie Jones to the Grizzlies. Miami also received the draft rights of Roberto Duenas of Spain from New Orleans.
"We feel like with this trade that we traded a lot, but we got back three quality players," Heat president Pat Riley said.
"Antoine Walker is one of the very best multi-faceted, versatile players in the game. I think the numbers have shown throughout his career that he has been consistent
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year-in and year-out, providing points and rebounds," Riley said.
As part of the deal, the Heat shipped guard-forward Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Spanish center Albert Miralles, two second-round picks and cash to Boston. The Heat also dealt shooting guard Rasual Butler to New Orleans.
All the moves are a significant change for Miami, who came within one win of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in club history last season. Earlier Tuesday, the Heat reportedly signed superstar center Shaquille O'Neal to a five-year, 100 million-dollar contract.
The Heat roster will not be the only one that has a drastically different look next season.
Utah acquired center Greg Ostertag from Memphis, Boston obtained Curtis Borchardt from the Jazz, New Orleans received guard Kirk Snyder from Utah, and Memphis got guard Raul Lopez from the Jazz.
According to reports, Walker signed a six-year deal worth nearly 53 million dollars with the Celtics, providing the framework for the trade.
In Miami, Walker will become the club's starter at small forward. Williams could start at point guard if Damon Jones departs as a free agent as is expected.
"Outside of Steve Nash and Jason Kidd, there isn't a better open-floor, half-court playmaker in the league than Jason Williams," Riley said. "His ability to handle the ball, see the floor, and hit the open man is as good as any point guard."
Walker, who turns 29 on August 12, has career averages of 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Walker was selected sixth overall by Boston in the 1996 NBA draft.
Entering his eighth season, the 29-year-old Williams has career averages of 11.7 points and 6.8 assists. He was selected seventh overall by Sacramento in 1998.
Posey, 29, has career averages of 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in six seasons and will provide depth behind Dwyane Wade.
"James Posey is going to be a perfect compliment to Shaq, Dwyane, Walker, Williams, Udonis, because he is a defense-oriented, slashing player who can run the break, play above the rim and will make the open three," Riley said.
In Jones, the Grizzlies get a consummate professional who has averaged 16.4 points during an 11-year career.
....Miami is getting scary
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