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Walker and Delk to Dallas for LaFrentz, Mills, Welsch, pick

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have acquired forwards Raef LaFrentz and Chris Mills, guard Jiri Welsch and a 2004 first round draft selection from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for forward Antoine Walker and guard Tony Delk.

"It has been a pleasure to have Antoine and Tony a part of the Celtics family, we are going to miss them. In particular, Antoine, who has been a part of the organization for a long time," said Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. "In return, we are getting quality players. Raef is a great complement to Paul Pierce, he stretches the defense, opens the paint and is a good shot blocker. We also would not have done this deal if Jiri was not included. He's a very promising 6-7 combo guard. We are very high on him."

LaFrentz, now entering his sixth season, has spent the last season and a half with the Mavericks. In 69 games (43 starts) during the 2002-03 campaign, the 6-11, 240-pound forward averaged 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.32 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game. He also shot career-highs of 51.8 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three-point territory, while leading the team in blocks 29 times.

In his five NBA seasons, LaFrentz is averaging 12.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.22 blocks in 29.4 minutes per game. He became the third player in NBA history to register 100 three-pointers (104) and 100 blocks (213) in the same season in 2001-02 and ranked in the Top 10 in the NBA in blocks three of the last four seasons. LaFrentz was also a teammate of Celtics Captain Paul Pierce for three seasons at Kansas University.

Chris Mills, beginning his 11th season in the league, was acquired by Dallas on August 18, 2003. He spent the previous five seasons with the Golden State Warriors. For his career, Mills is averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.4 minutes per game. He has eclipsed the 80 percent mark in free throw percentage in eight of his ten NBA seasons and has averaged double-figure points in six seasons. Mills was previously a member of the Celtics when he was signed as a free agent on August 22, 1997. However, he was traded to the New York Knicks on October 22, 1997 before appearing in any regular season games.

Jiri Welsch, now entering his second season, spent his first year in the league with the Golden State Warriors. He was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2002 NBA Draft (16th pick), but his draft rights were immediately traded to the Warriors for two future draft picks. He was acquired by Dallas on August 18, 2003.

During the 2002-03 season, Welsch appeared in 37 games, averaging 1.6 points in 6.3 minutes. He played professionally in Europe for five seasons before joining the NBA, having begun his professional career at the age of 17. In 191 career games overseas, he averaged 13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 3.41 steals in 28.2 minutes per game. For his career, he has shot 50.3 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from three-point range and 78.8 percent from the line.