SEATTLE -- The Seattle SuperSonics, one day after dealing forwards Tim McCormick and Danny Vranes, Tuesday picked up power forward Maurice Lucas on waivers and traded for Detroit guard John Long.
Sonics President Bill Whitsitt said Lucas is expected to fill the 'enforcer' role which the Sonics have lacked the past several years.
'We expect Maurice to give us the same things Paul Silas gave the Sonics a few years ago,' Whitsitt said. 'He's got the reputation of a strong, intimidating player, and anyone who has been in this league will tell you it's more than just a reputation.
'Along with that ruggedness, he should supply the stablizing on-court influence on our younger players they need. Lucas was a starter with the world champion Portland Trail Blazers -- he's always been in a winning atmosphere, from college all the way through the NBA.'
Lucas was placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Lakers Friday.
In another player move, the Sonics acquired Long for two second-round draft choices. The Pistons will receive a 1987 pick which Seattle acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers, and Seattle's own second-round pick in 1991.
Long, entering his ninth NBA season, has scored in double figures his entire professional career.
On Monday, the Sonics traded backup center McCormick and reserve forward Vranes to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Philadelphia backup center Clemon Johnson and a No. 1 draft pick in 1989.
That trade gave Seattle three No. 1 draft picks in 1989 and a total of six in the next three years.
