Aug. 3, 1999

BOSTON (AP)- The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets completeda six-player deal that sent Celtics guard Ron Mercer to Denver forpower forward Danny Fortson.

The Celtics said Tuesday they are trading Mercer, Popeye Jones and Dwayne Schintzius to Denver for Fortson, Eric Washington, and Eric Williams, who began his career in Boston. The Celtics will also receive a first-round draft choice in one of the next three years.

Both Mercer and Fortson were eligible for contractextensions this summer.

Mercer, who played for Celtics coach Rick Pitino atKentucky, averaged 17 points per game last year and is considered an emergingstar. The Celtics began exploring the trade market last month after Mercersaid there was a “huge difference” between the Celtics’ initial offer andwhat he was asking on a new contract.

Fortson was fourth in the league in rebounding with 11.6per game last year, his third season in the league. The 6-foot-6, 260-poundFortson also averaged 11 points per game. Fortson came to Denver by atrade after being picked by Milwaukee in the first round.

The deal sends Williams back to the city where he playedthe first two years of his career. Williams, a fourth year player, averaged15 points per game for the Celtics in 1996-97. He’s entering the third year of afour-year, $30 million contract. Denver agreed to pay $3 million of Williamscontract, the maximum percentage allowed by the league.

The Celtics also announced the signing of free agentguard Wayne Turner on Tuesday. Pitino said he envisions Turner, who played atKentucky, as a third point guard on the Celtics.