WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 30 -- The Washington Bullets solved their need for a point guard Monday when they traded Don MacLean and Doug Overton to the Denver Nuggets for Robert Pack and future considerations. This is the second time in a month that the Bullets have acquired a starting point guard for Washington in the last month. Mark Price was picked up from Cleveland for a 1996 first-round draft pick in late September. Price had been expected to be the Bullets' point guard this season but he has been sidelined during the preseason with a foot injury and it remains unclear how serious the injury is. Price is expected to be out for at least another week, while the regular season gets underway Friday night when the Bullets visit Philadelphia. 'The addition of Robert Pack gives us a top quality point guard,' said Bullets' general manager John Nash. 'Pack is an explosive point guard that flourishes in an up-tempo game. He is also considered a top defensive player at his position.' Pack has led the Nuggets with 18 points per game and 5.4 assists in eight preseason games. 'We've been discussing trade options with Robert throughout preseason and it was mutual that this would be the best situation for him,' Nuggets president and head coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. 'Our concern was for Robert. His professionalism and maturity regarding the trade were outstanding and we wish him well with the rest of his career. ' Pack played three seasons with Denver, averaging 10.5 points and 5.3 assists per game after being acquired prior to the 1992-93 season from the Portland Trail Blazers for a 1993 second-round draft pick.
Pack averaged 4.6 points per game in 72 games with Portland after not being drafted by an NBA team. MaClean was the NBA's Most Improved Player in 1993-94 after posting career highs of 18.2 points and 6.2 boards per contest. He only played in 39 contests last year due to injury and averaged 11.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. The 6-10 forward bolsters a Denver front line that features centers Dikembe Mutombo and Elmore Spencer and forwards Antonio Mcdyess, Laphonso Ellis and Tom Hammonds. Overton is a 6-3 back-up point guard that averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 assists per game for the Bullets over the last three seasons. He was the only player on the team to appear in all 82 games last season.
