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The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have traded guard Marquis Daniels to the Indiana Pacers for forward Austin Croshere.

"We were trying to find a player who has a combination of NBA playoff experience, good shooting abilities and leadership qualities we value in the locker room,” said President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Donnie Nelson. “Austin brings all those things to the table.”

“We are excited to get Austin,” added head coach Avery Johnson. “His game fits well into our system. We like his professionalism and experience. He will complement our team well.”

Croshere (6-10, 235) has spent all nine of his seasons with the Pacers after originally being selected with the 12th overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft. In 540 career games with 86 starts, he has averaged 7.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game while shooting 41.0% from the floor, 34.3% from 3-point range and 86.2% from the line. Croshere has also appeared in 65 playoff games with nine starts, averaging 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game.

Since his rookie season, Croshere has never shot below 80% from the foul line. In fact, if he had enough attempts to qualify, his career free throw percentage of 86.2 would rank him 11th among NBA all-time leaders. The past three seasons, he has made all but 53 of a possible 462 free throws (88.5%).

This past season, Croshere saw action in 50 games with a career-high 26 starts. He averaged 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game while shooting a career-high 46.3% from the floor, 38.6% from 3-point range and 88.2% from the line. His 5.3 rpg marked the second highest average of his career (6.4 rpg in 1999-00).

Croshere scored in double-figures 21 times in 2005-06, recorded four double-doubles and hit three or more 3-pointers 10 times. He missed 29 games due to injury, including the entire month of February and most of March with a concussion.

Daniels (6-6, 200) leaves the Mavericks after three seasons. He joined the team as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Auburn in July of 2003. Over the final 11 games of his rookie season in 2003-04, Daniels averaged 20.7 points per game and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team. He was also the Mavericks second leading scorer in the 2004 playoffs with 15.8 points per game.

In 178 career games with 61 starts, Daniels averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.14 steals in 23.7 minutes per game while shooting 46.9% from the floor and 75.1% from the line.

This past season, Daniels appeared in 62 games with 29 starts, averaging a career-high 10.2 points, a career-high tying 3.6 rebounds, a career-high 2.8 assists and 1.08 steals in a career-high 28.5 minutes per game.