ORLANDO, Fla. -- The New Jersey Nets, surprising Orlando with their interest, acquired veteran guard Reggie Theus from the Magic Monday for second-round draft choices in 1993 and 1995.
Theus, 32, was a first-round selection of the Chicago Bulls in the 1978 NBA draft. He was traded to the Kings in 1984 and was dealt to Atlanta two years ago. After just one season, the Hawks left Theus unprotected in the expansion draft and the Magic made the 6-foot-7 guard their second pick behind Sidney Green.
'Guards at Reggie's age are very obviously near the end of their careers and nobody's going to give you a first-round draft choice,' said Orlando General Manager Pat Williams. 'They offered us one pick (second round) and we negotiated.'
Theus, a streak shooter, averaged 18.9 points per game for Orlando but shot just 44 percent from the field. He will enter the 1990-91 season as the 31st leading career scorer in NBA history with 17,505 points.
'Reggie's a 12-year veteran and we're pretty excited about this deal,' said Bob Casciola, chief operating officer for the Nets. 'He is a guy who will bring a new chemistry and (Coach) Bill Fitch knows Reggie well. He can score and we think Reggie is very compatible with (point guard) Mookie Blaylock. The two picks we gave up do not concern us -- they're something we can make up.'
Orlando Coach Matt Guokas said the trade will open up playing time for last year's No. 1 draft pick, promising guard Nick Anderson.
'It was a frustrating thing for Nick as well as for us last season because we just had trouble getting him on the floor,' Guokas said. 'We were kind of surprised last week when New Jersey called and said they wanted Reggie.'
Casciola said the acquisition of Theus would not impact on New Jersey's choice with the first pick in Wednesday's draft. Syracuse forward Derrick Coleman, Georgia Tech forward Dennis Scott and guard Gary Payton of Oregon State are being considered by the Nets, but Casciola reaffirmed Monday the club is entertaining offers for the top pick.
