Pacers, Bulls beat NBA deal deadline, trade seven

Jalen Rose and Brad Miller were among seven players involved in a trade Tuesday between the Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls acquired Rose, Travis Best and rookie Norman Richardson, along with a conditional second-round draft pick, in exchange for Miller, Ron Mercer, Ron Artest and Kevin Ollie.

The deal, two days before the NBA trading deadline, represents a major shakeup for both teams.

The Bulls give up their three leading scorers, while Indiana jettisons two veterans who helped them reach the NBA Finals less than two years ago.

Rose has been the Pacers' leading scorer, averaging 18.5 points per game, although his role had diminished this season as coach Isiah Thomas de-emphasized his role in the offense. The seven-year veteran, responding to recent rumors of a Bulls-Pacers deal, had said he wanted to stay with the Pacers.

Best, in the final year of his contract, has been the backup point guard behind rookie Jamaal Tinsley. Best has averaged 6.9 points and 4.0 assists, marking a scoring decline of five points per game from last season.

The Pacers have had a disappointing season, going 26-27 -- 10th best in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago (12-40) has the NBA's worst record.

The acquisition of Miller will allow the Pacers to move Jermaine O'Neal to power forward, giving them one of the youngest and most promising front line tandems in the East.

Mercer, who signed with the Bulls as a free agent two summers ago, has now been traded three times during his 4 1/2 seasons in the NBA. He was leading the Bulls in scoring, averaging 16.8 points.

Miller, a 7-foot center in his fourth NBA season, averaged 12.7 points and 8.4 rebounds for Chicago. He was involved in an altercation with Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal earlier this season that led to a three-game suspension for O'Neal.

Artest, in his third season, averaged 15.6 points for Chicago.

Richardson had played in only three games this season for Indiana.

Jordan takes a break

WASHINGTON --Michael Jordan did not have his knee drained and is instead relying on ice and rest to soothe the ailing joint that will force him to miss a game for the second time this season.

Jordan did not travel with the Washington Wizards to Detroit for today's game against the Pistons. He plans to play in Thursday's home game against New Jersey.

Jordan said after Monday's loss to the Houston Rockets that he would probably have the knee drained, but further discussions with the trainers changed the course of treatment.

Jordan has been bothered by tendinitis in his right knee all season.

Robinson suspended

NEW YORK --Clifford Robinson of the Detroit Pistons was suspended Tuesday for one game for pleading guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol, violating Arizona state law.

Robinson will miss the Pistons' home game against Washington today.

Robinson is the Pistons' second-leading scorer, with 14.2 points per game.

He was arrested early Feb. 5, 2001, while a member of the Phoenix Suns. A police officer in suburban Scottsdale spotted his 2001 yellow Porsche traveling erratically.

Robinson was charged with driving under the influence, and tests showed that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.146 percent. Arizona's DUI limit is 0.10.

-- From wire services