SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former Temple star Duane Causwell was traded by the Sacramento Kings yesterday, while another player wondered if he, too, would be dealt.
Causwell, the former Temple center, was chosen 18th overall by the Kings in the 1990 draft.
The Kings sent Causwell to Detroit for center Olden Polynice, who will become a restricted free agent after this season, and extraneous second-round choices in each of the next three drafts. Sacramento also got forward David Wood in the deal.
Causwell missed 38 games this season with a stress fracture of his left foot. Polynice was a surprise fourth in the league in rebounding until he injured his left knee and missed 12 games. Polynice returned to the lineup 10 days ago.
While announcing the trade yesterday, Sacramento general manager Jerry Reynolds also took pains to denounce a rumor involving former La Salle star Lionel Simmons, who is averaging 16.2 points, eight rebounds and 4.3 assists for the Kings.
There were widespread reports this week of a three-team deal that basically would have sent Simmons and Causwell to the Los Angeles Clippers, disgruntled all-star Danny Manning from the Clippers to the Orlando Magic, and Dennis Scott plus a first-round draft choice to Sacramento.
"Absolutely false, erroneous, irresponsible reporting; a zero-percent chance," said Reynolds, who resigned recently but is serving until a successor is found. "Do you need any other words?"
Simmons, when told of Reynolds' response, laughed and said: "I guess that means it's on."
