76ers Sign Maxwell

Vernon Maxwell, suspended for 10 games from the Houston Rockets last season for hitting a fan, signed with the Philadelphia 76ers and will shift from shooting to point guard.

Although terms of the contract were not disclosed, Maxwell said he had better offers from Charlotte and Indiana, but chose the 76ers because of coach and general manager John Lucas.

His signing comes five days after the 76ers added Richard Dumas, a promising forward whose brief NBA career has been marked by two drug suspensions.

“It’s not a risk with Vernon Maxwell and Dumas - it’s fun,” Lucas said. “Now I’ve got to do my job off the court with them, as well on the court.”

The 76ers have called a news conference for today when they are expected to announce the signing of North Carolina’s Jerry Stackhouse, the No. 3 pick in the draft.

Former Indiana forward Alan Henderson, selected 16th overall in the NBA draft, signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hawks also signed former Purdue guard Cuonzo Martin, the 57th overall pick, to a one-year deal.