No More Magic For Anderson

The Orlando Magic traded Nick Anderson, the only remaining member of the original expansion team, to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday for Tariq Abdul-Wahad and a future first-round draft pick.

The trade was part of a rebuilding plan that team officials hope will produce a younger, more athletic team under new coach Doc Rivers.

"While it's difficult to see Nick depart, we are looking forward to bringing in a young talent like Tariq, while also gaining another future first round draft pick," Magic general manager John Gabriel said. "Nick will always be in the hearts of Magic fans."

Anderson, 31, who has averaged 15.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 10 NBA seasons, was the first draft pick of the expansion Magic in 1989. He was entering the third season of a four-year contract that, with incentives, could pay him more than $24 million.

"Sacramento is the talk of the league right now," Anderson said. "Flash, run and gun, having a lot of fun that's what I like, to keep the fun in the game."

Anderson was a popular player in Orlando where he spent a lot of time and money doing charity work.

However, he was involved in two headline-making incidents that tarnished his image. In 1992, he was involved in a fight at a concert that caused him to miss 20 games because of broken face bones. Four years later, he was accused of rape, but no charges were filed after police discounted the woman's story.

"We get a big-time two guard that's still in the prime of his career, that has a good relationship with some of our best players, wanted to be here, and has always played on winning teams, pretty much" said Geoff Petrie, Kings vice president of basketball operations.

"I definitely think he brings some stature with him, and he's played on winners, been a good player on winning teams, I always think that's important," Petrie said. "And he's really excited about joining our team with the style of play we have, and really improves our perimeter shooting in the backcourt."

Abdul-Wahad, a 24-year-old shooting guard, has played two seasons with the Kings, who made him the 11th pick in the 1997 draft. He played two seasons at Michigan and his final two at San Jose State. He changed his name from Olivier Saint-Jean early in his rookie year.

As a starter with the Kings last season, Abdul-Wahad averaged 9.3 points and 3.8 rebounds.

The Magic also re-signed forward-center Bo Outlaw, 28, who averaged 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds last season. Terms of the contract weren't disclosed.

Gabriel refused to comment on the future of guard-forward Penny Hardaway, who visited with the Phoenix Suns last week.

"The lines of communication are open," Gabriel said.

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