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 Celtics sign Cheaney to three-year pact
Posted: Friday August 06, 1999 07:26 AM
BOSTON (AP) -- The Boston Celtics continued a busy week of dealing, signing free agent guard Calbert Cheaney to a three-year pact Thursday. The signing comes two days after Boston shipped guard Ron Mercer to the Denver Nuggets in a six-player swap. Cheaney signed with Boston after turning down a sign-and-trade deal that would have sent him to Miami. Celtics coach Rick Pitino didn't commit to inserting Cheaney in his starting lineup, but said the six-year veteran, who played forward and guard for the Washington Wizards last season, would help fill the hole left by Mercer at shooting guard. "He's going to give us the necessary leadership and ability to make the playoffs next season," Pitino said. Cheaney, 28, played in all 50 Wizards games, starting in 18. He averaged 7.7 points per game while shooting 41.4 percent from the field. His best season as a pro was in 1994-1995, when he averaged 16.6 points per game. Cheaney said he was confused about the direction Washington was headed, and decided to shop his services. "I think it was time for a change," he said. "The last two or three seasons were disappointing for me. It was time for a fresh start." He backed out of he Miami deal because of what he called "a gut instinct" and said Boston's young squad and his respect for Pitino were key factors in his decision to sign with the Celtics. Cheaney was drafted sixth overall by Washington in the 1993 NBA draft after a standout career at Indiana, where he finished as the Big Ten's all time leading scorer and was selected The Associated Press 1993 College Player of the year.
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