Hawks trade Al Harrington to Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Pacers finally completed a sign-and-trade deal with Atlanta for forward Al Harrington Tuesday.

The Pacers acquired Harrington and center John Edwards in exchange for a 2007 first-round pick.

The deal followed weeks of speculation about Harrington, considered among the top free agents on the market. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged almost 19 points and seven rebounds a game for the Hawks last season.

Harrington played his first six NBA seasons for the Pacers before he was traded to the Hawks for Stephen Jackson in July 2004.

The trade brings the Hawks additional financial room as well as the draft pick. The move also may create room for 2005 first-round pick Marvin Williams to move into the starting lineup.

Harrington is expected to be a key to Indiana's transformation from a defense-oriented team to an up-tempo, athletic squad. The Pacers also have added rookies James White and Shawne Williams, guards Orien Greene and Darrell Armstrong and forwards Marquis Daniels, Maceo Baston, Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell.