University of North Carolina Athletics
Magic Trade Rights to Haywood to Washington for Profit, Draft Pick
August 2, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Aug 1, 2001
By MIKE BRANOM
Associated Press Writer
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - The Orlando Magic acquired guard Laron Profit and a future first-round draft pick from the Washington Wizards on Wednesday in exchange for the draft rights to center Brendan Haywood.
Haywood, the 20th overall pick in this year's draft, was acquired from Cleveland in exchange for center Michael Doleac.
The 7-foot Haywood spent four seasons at North Carolina, averaging 10 points, six rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 141 career games.
"We still believe he's going to be a nice player in this league," Magic general manager John Gabriel said. "But with our success in the free-agent market, both in signing back our players and acquiring free agents, there's kind of a logjam."
In the offseason, the Magic signed Patrick Ewing and Horace Grant to free-agent deals while also convincing Andrew DeClercq and Don Reid to return. Orlando also drafted 7-footer Steven Hunter with the 15th pick.
Haywood's addition to the Wizards' roster give the team depth in the post as it breaks in 19-year-old Kwame Brown, the No. 1 overall pick this year.
The 6-foot-4 Profit appeared in 35 games for the Wizards last year, averaging 4.3 points and 2.5 assists. He started the season's final 12 games, averaging 9.7 points, 5.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds during that span.
Profit had been working out this offseason with Wizards president Michael Jordan during the team's mini-camp.
Orlando selected Profit in the second round of the 1999 draft, but later traded him to Washington for a future second-round pick.
The Magic can take Washington's draft pick beginning in 2004, but the Wizards can keep the pick if it is among the first 20. The next season, it is protected through No. 13, and in 2006 it is protected only through the first three spots. If Orlando waits until 2007, the pick would be unconditional.
Orlando now has eight potential first-round draft selections during the next four years. The Magic have their own first-round pick for the next four drafts, and is also owed first-round picks from Phoenix, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers.
