The Chicago Bulls acquired center Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday for four players, including forwards Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni.
Sacramento also got Michael Ruffin and Cedric Simmons in the deal, but immediately traded Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward Ike Diogu and cash. The Kings then waived guard Quincy Douby and veteran Sam Cassell, acquired on Tuesday from Boston, to make room for their new players.
The Bulls gave up some salary flexibility to acquire Miller, a two-time All-Star who played 105 games with the Bulls early in his career. Salmons, a versatile swingman and Sacramento's second-leading scorer with 18.3 points, also could be a prominent contributor to the disappointing Bulls, who are still chasing a playoff berth despite starting the day seven games below .500.
"You always hate to lose good guys and good players, and that's difficult, but we're adding two guys that we like a lot," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said before the team's game at Milwaukee. "I think we're adding two really good pieces that we're excited about, and hopefully we can get them here soon and get them acclimated as soon as possible."
The trade clears well over $10 million in salary cap room next season for the Kings, the NBA's worst team. Among the four players acquired by the Kings, only Nocioni has a contract through next season.
In the midst of a thorough franchise upheaval, the Kings didn't hesitate to part with Miller, their longest-tenured player and one of the few links left to Sacramento's run of eight straight playoff berths earlier in the decade. The 32-year-old Miller joined the Kings in 2003 and spent 5½ years as their starting center when he wasn't slowed by injuries.
"It's going to be tough, because I have a lot of memories here," Miller told KHTK-AM, the Kings' flagship radio station. "My daughter was born here. I just wish I could have left the team in a little better shape."
Miller hasn't played since Jan. 30 because of a hip injury, but he showed flashes of his best game earlier in the season. He's averaging 11.9 points and 8.0 rebounds.
The Bulls might get an even bigger lift from Salmons, who is having a quietly outstanding year with 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in addition to his steady scoring.
Nocioni, the two-time Argentine Olympian, is averaging 10.4 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Bulls. He has three years and $21 million left on his deal.
Sacramento might be interested in re-signing Gooden, a Northern California native who has been pursued by the club several times in recent years. He's averaging 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds, but hasn't played since Jan. 19 because of a groin injury.
HEAT'S O'NEAL HURT: Jermaine O'Neal left his first game with the Miami Heat midway through the third quarter Wednesday night after getting cut near his right eye.
O'Neal was struck by the Minnesota Timberwolves' Mike Miller, who was called for a charging foul. O'Neal stayed down for a moment, then was helped into the Heat locker room, dabbing a towel at his face in an effort to control bleeding.
The Heat said he was getting X-rays. It wasn't known if O'Neal would return.
ANDRE MILLER STRAINS CALF: Philadelphia point guard Andre Miller left the 76ers' game against Denver on Wednesday night because of a strained right calf.
Miller pulled up as he chased after the ball with about 7½ minutes left in the third quarter. He immediately grabbed his calf and ankle and took a seat on the bench at the next timeout. Miller scored 17 points in 23 minutes.
GRANGER SPRAINS FOOT: Indiana scoring leader Danny Granger sprained his right foot early in the second quarter of the Pacers' game against Charlotte on Wednesday night.
Granger, averaging 25.3 points, pulled up after a Charlotte turnover and came out of the game during a timeout with 10:50 left in the quarter.
WADE SUES WIFE: Dwyane Wade sued his estranged wife and two of her lawyers Wednesday over accusations the Miami Heat star contracted a sexually transmitted disease through an extramarital affair.
In the lawsuit, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, Wade is seeking at least $50,000 in damages from each defendant.
Siohvaughn Wade said last month the player infected her with an unspecified disease in 2007. Weeks later, she withdrew the claim from the court hearing the divorce case for unknown reasons.
That wasn't enough to satisfy the 2006 NBA finals MVP, who said her allegations not only defamed him, but caused "embarrassment" and "humiliation" along with damaging future earning potential.
"It has been difficult to see false allegations, rumors and gossip repeatedly discussed in public about my personal life," Dwyane Wade said in a statement released to the AP. "I had no other choice but to file this action in order to clear my name."
MCGRADY OUT FOR SEASON: Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady will have surgery on his left knee and miss the rest of the season.
The star forward said on his Web site Wednesday that the pain has been persistent and he will have microfracture surgery. He's confident he'll return next season.
McGrady is Houston's third-leading scorer. He had arthroscopic surgery in May and has missed 18 games this season because of his sore knee. He also missed one game with a sprained ankle. He said before the All-Star break he wanted to consult with doctors before deciding on the best course of treatment on his knee.
ODEN HAS BONE CHIP: Trail Blazers center Greg Oden will sit out Wednesday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies because of a bone chip in his left knee.
Oden was hurt in a collision during a game at Golden State last Thursday. He was unable to play in the All-Star weekend's rookie challenge.
The 7-foot center is listed as day-to-day. Team doctors are expected to evaluate his knee later Wednesday.