The
New Orleans Hornets acquired
Trevor Ariza(notes) Wednesday in a four-team, five-player trade that also sends point guard
Darren Collison(notes) to the
Indiana Pacers, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The deal also sends Pacers forward
Troy Murphy(notes) to the
New Jersey Nets and Nets guard
Courtney Lee(notes) to the
Houston Rockets. In addition to landing Collison ? the young point guard they?ve been searching for all offseason ? the Pacers also have to take on forward
James Posey(notes), who has two years and $13.5 million remaining on his contract.
The Rockets signed Ariza to a five-year, $35 million contract a year ago, but have since acquired guard
Kevin Martin(notes). Trading him should keep them from paying a substantial luxury-tax bill this season.
After failing to include point guard T.J. Ford in the trade, the Pacers are discussing a buyout with Ford?s agent on the $8.5 million still owed him in the final year of his contract, sources said. The Pacers also are continuing to explore trade opportunities with Ford.
ESPN.com first reported the proposed trade.