MINNEAPOLIS, 29 June 2003 — The Milwaukee Bucks traded veteran guard Sam Cassell to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, sending him along with center Ervin Johnson for forward Joe Smith and guard Anthony Peeler.

Cassell averaged 19.7 points per game for the Bucks last season, but he became expendable after Milwaukee picked up Gary Payton from Seattle.

Johnson was a back-up with the Bucks last season, averaging 2.2 points per game.

Smith has played eight years in the NBA, but he missed 26 games last season due to injuries. He averaged 7.5 points and five rebounds per game.

Peeler is the Timberwolves all-time 3-point field goal leader. He averaged 7.7 points per game last season.

The key to the deal is obviously Cassell, who teamed up with Ray Allen to spearhead the Bucks offense for many years.

But the 10-year veteran’s days in Milwaukee was obviously numbered when Allen was traded for Payton late last season.

Quinn Gives Up GM Post

at Toronto, Remains Coach

Pat Quinn relinquished his general manager duties with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday as part of the team’s restructuring plans under new ownership.

Quinn will still coach the team and will have a significant role in determining his successor under an agreement in his contract.

“It’s not a veto, but it’s a strong position,” Quinn told reporters at a news conference.

Ken Dryden also stepped aside as the team’s president and will assume the title of vice chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), the company that owns the Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. Richard Peddie, president and CEO of MLSE, also announced that assistant general manager Bill Watters will not have his contract renewed after 12 years with the club. “We are not satisfied with our current level of success,” Peddie said. “We expect more and our fans expect more.”

China Basketball Red Flag

for NBA Plans to Draft Xue

In Beijing, the China Basketball Association (CBA) has given an overwhelming thumbs down to 21-year old Chinese 2.12-meter center Xue Yuyang, saying the second round NBA draft pick would not be plying the hardwood for the Denver Nuggets next year or any time soon.

Xue, who played for the Hong Kong Flying Dragons last season, was selected 57th overall in Thursday’s NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks and then immediately traded to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a 2004 second round pick. “Xue Yuyang does not meet the conditions of playing in the NBA,” the CBA said in a Friday statement.

“Xue Yuyang should patiently practice with the national team, accumulate experience at the international level, improve his skills and better accommodate himself to NBA conditions.”