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The Chicago Bulls announced today the team has acquired forward/center P.J. Brown and guard J.R. Smith from the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets in exchange for forward/center Tyson Chandler.

“We really welcome the veteran leadership that P.J. will bring to our team. He brings a consistent game at both ends of the floor and we will be counting on his production in helping us improve as a team,” said Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson.

“We also really appreciate all Tyson did for us during his five years here in Chicago. He was an integral part in our growth as an organization and it is always difficult to trade away a player who has been with our organization for a long time. We wish him and his family the best of luck,” Paxson added.

A 13-year veteran, Brown (6-11, 239, Louisiana Tech) has appeared in 999 career games, including 941 starts, and has averaged 9.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.00 bpg and 32.2 mpg. He has shot .464 from the floor and .795 from the free throw line. Last season with the Hornets, his sixth with the franchise, Brown posted averages of 9.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.2 apg and 31.7 mpg.

Smith (6-6, 220, St. Benedict’s Prep) has played his two NBA seasons with the Hornets after the team selected him 18th overall in NBA Draft 2004. He has appeared in 131 career games, including 81 starting assignments, and averaged 9.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.5 apg and 21.7 mpg and shot .394 from the floor, including .316 from three-point range, and .740 from the free throw line.

Chandler (7-1, 235, Dominguez H.S.) has spent all five of his NBA seasons in Chicago, having appeared in 340 games, including 167 starts, and holds averages of 7.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.40 bpg and 24.4 mpg. He has shot .511 from the field and .615 from the free throw line. Last season with the Bulls he averaged 5.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.32 bpg, 1.0 apg and 26.8 mpg in 79 contests.

InsideHoops.com Editor Says: The Bulls wanted to get rid of Tyson Chandler's contract. They didn't see improvement in his game, and feared this is about as good as he's going to get. In his place, old PJ Brown can do just as much as he did and more for another season or two before age really hits him. And JR Smith, well, he can run, jump and dunk, and neat stuff like that. Smith is still young and in development. The Hornets didn't like his attitude.

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