Arbitrator Oks Trade Of Dudley From Trail Blazers To Knicks

The proposed trade that would send Chris Dudley from the Portland Trail Blazers to the New York Knicks is valid, an arbitrator ruled Sunday, saying it was not an attempt to circumvent the salary cap.

“It’s a major victory for the association and the player,” said Bill Hunter, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association in New York.

Arbitrator Kenneth Dam also ruled that Dudley should be paid the $1.13 million salary he was originally offered, not the NBA minimum $272,250, Hunter said.

The NBA, which filed an appeal Sunday, was expected to ask Dam today to stay his ruling until after the appeal is heard. Hunter said the union will ask for Dam to allow the deal to proceed immediately.

Cedric Ceballos of the Phoenix Suns scored 56 points to lead Team Black to a 168-155 victory over Team White in the Gary Payton AT&T All-Star Classic. A total of $300,000 was raised to help less fortunate kids in Seattle.

A gunman opened fire during a 29th birthday party for NBA player Dennis Scott, attended by some 1,000 revelers at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel in Tysons Corner, Va., leaving two guests hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities have no description of the gunman, and Scott was not charged.