The San Antonio Spurs, seeking immediate help up front, think they have their man in forward Antoine Carr.
The Spurs traded center Dwayne Schintzius and a 1994 second-round draft pick to Sacramento on Monday for Carr, a 6-foot-8 seven-year NBA veteran from Wichita State who led the Kings in scoring last year with a career-best 20.1 points per game."We acquired a player that will help up immediately," said Bob Bass, Spurs vice president of operations. "For a man his size, he has shown that he can shoot from outside and he can play either forward position."
Bass said Carr, 30, will be an offensive threat.
The 7-2 Schintzius, 22, averaged 3.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game in his rookie season last year as a backup to starting center David Robinson. He was a 1988 Olympic team finalist from the University of Florida.
Schintzius was the Spurs' first-round draft pick and the 24th selection overall in 1990.
Spurs coach Larry Brown, who at times criticized Schintzius' work habits, said the trade will be beneficial for both clubs.
"We need to be as competitive as possible this season and in Sacramento Dwayne will have the time he needs to fully develop his potential," Brown said.
Jerry Reynolds, the Kings director of player personnel, said giving up Carr was difficult, but that the Kings have "an abundance of forwards." He described Schintzius as "a highly skilled young big center."
"In addition to Duane Causwell, this clearly gives us over 14 feet of very young centers," Reynolds added.
Carr was a 1983 first-round pick, eighth overall, by Detroit. He opted to play in the Italian League his rookie year.