SEATTLE -- Just four days before the opening of the NBA season, the Seattle SuperSonics Monday obtained forward Detlef Schrempf from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Derrick McKey and guard Gerald Paddio.
Schrempf was an All-Star selection last season, averaging 19.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game with Indiana.
'We've just added an All-Star to our team,' said Seattle President Bob Whitsitt. 'Any time you can do that, I think you can't help but become a better team.'
The 30-year-old Schrempf has a 17.0 career scoring average and has also averaged 6.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the NBA. The eight-year veteran spent his first four NBA seasons with the Dallas Mavericks before being traded to Indiana along with a second-round draft choice for Herb Williams in February 1989.
Schrempf won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 1991 and 1992.
'He's a very versatile athlete who does it all,' Seattle Coach George Karl said. 'We think this move improves our shooting and gives us another player who can help us get where we want to be.'
Schrempf returns to the Northwest after playing for the University of Washington. He was drafted by the Mavericks in the first round, eighth overall, of the 1985 NBA draft.
McKey has a 13.9 scoring average in six seasons in the NBA. The 27- year-old forward scored 13.4 points per game last season. He was drafted by Seattle in the first round, ninth overall, in 1987.
Paddio joined Seattle as a free agent last season. He averaged 3.9 points in 41 games with the Sonics.