The Seattle SuperSonics today acquired forward Danny Fortson from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for center Calvin Booth, Sonics General Manager Rick Sund announced.

A 6-8 forward out of the University of Cincinnati, Fortson averaged 3.9 points and 4.5 rebounds in 56 games with the Mavericks during the 2003-04 NBA season.

“We’re very happy to have Danny as part of our front court,” said Sund. “In an effort to improve our rebounding, the addition of Danny, coinciding with Nick Collison returning from his injury, will enhance our physical toughness and defense. Ever since Danny came into the league, he has been among the league leaders in rebounds per minute. His rebounding skills will help us tremendously.”

Fortson, a seven-year veteran, has averaged 8.9 points and 8.0 rebounds in 341 NBA career games, including two seasons where he averaged double figures in both points and rebounds. Fortson also ranked fourth in the league in rebounds per game during the 1998-99 (11.6) and 2001-02 (11.7) seasons.

Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (10th pick overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft, Fortson was traded to Denver on draft day along with Johnny Newman and Joe Wolf for Ervin Johnson.

Booth, a five-year veteran, signed with the Sonics as a free agent on Aug. 16, 2001. He averaged 4.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.11 blocks in 133 career games with the Sonics. Originally selected by the Washington Wizards in the second round (35th pick overall) of the 1999 NBA Draft, Booth posted career averages of 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.37 blocks in 199 NBA games.