Jazz Pick Up Seikaly In 2-For-1 Trade

The Utah Jazz acquired center Rony Seikaly from Orlando on Monday, sending reserves Chris Morris and Greg Foster and their 1998 first-round draft pick to the Magic.

Foster and Morris left the court moments before Utah tipped off against Charlotte, with Foster telling reporters about the trade. The Jazz announced the deal with 2 minutes left in the second quarter.

In Atlanta, Seikaly was held out of the lineup as the Magic beat the Hawks 85-81.

Seikaly, 32, was averaging 15 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Foster was averaging 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds and had started 18 games. Morris averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in only 26 games.

Foster and Morris dressed and warmed up for the game, and Foster was listed in Utah’s starting lineup. But just before tip-off, Foster returned to the locker room, dressed and rushed angrily from the building.

“Yeah, it’s me, me and Chris,” Foster snapped at reporters.

Morris left the court a few moments later.

Rookie William Cunningham, a rookie from Temple playing on a 10-day contract, started at center in Utah’s 96-90 win.

Stoudamire officially a Trail Blazer

It’s official. Damon Stoudamire is a Portland Trail Blazer.

The former Wilson High School star had to wait until just before a 2 p.m. PST deadline Monday for the Toronto Raptors to confirm the deal that sent him, Walt Williams and Carlos Rogers to Portland in exchange for Kenny Anderson, Gary Trent and Alvin Williams.

The deal was sweetened Monday when Portland added a second-round draft choice. The Trail Blazers had already included first-round picks in both this year’s and the 1999 drafts.

The trade was held up Sunday over results of the physical exams taken by Williams and Trent.

“There was a minor concern with Williams’ right knee,” said Toronto spokesman Matt Akler, referring to magnetic resonance imaging tests that Toronto had done on Alvin Williams and Trent.

“The doctors think Williams may need arthroscopic surgery, so to give further insurance, Portland is adding a second-round draft pick this year.”

While Stoudamire suits up for Portland, Toronto will be without Anderson, who said before the trade he would not report if he were traded to the Raptors. Anderson has until today to report.

“General manager Glen Grunwald is giving him another day,” Akler said. “We’ll decide then. He faces possible suspension.”

Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald has not ruled out making another deal to move Anderson before Thursday’s trade deadline.

It’s all over but the waiting for Sprewell

Latrell Sprewell’s arbitration hearing concluded with 7-1/2 hours of closing arguments, most of which focused on the player’s grievance against the NBA for suspending him for one year.

Arbitrator John Feerick can issue his decision at any time within the next 30 days. Sprewell is hoping to be readmitted to the NBA immediately.

Feerick has given no indication of how long he will take to issue a ruling. Before the hearing began, he turned down a motion for an expedited decision.