August 25, 2000 -- Dominican-born, Felipe Lopez, a former NYC basketball phenom, will now be playing for Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizard next season.

It his first trade as a  front office executive of the Wizards, Michael Jordan sent Ike Austin to the Vancouver Grizzlies for four players: Dennis Scott, Cherokee Parks, Obinna Ekezie and Felipe Lopez. 

"We are acquiring three quality young players with a proven veteran scorer," said Jordan, who became the Wizards president of basketball operations in January. "And Ike Austin gets a new start." 

For the Grizzlies, president Dick Versace said  "He gives us a very big body. He played for Chuck Daly (in Orlando). "Michael and I did the deal, but Chuck was the one who brokered the deal"  Chuck Daly is now a retired coach and a special adviser to the Grizzlies.  

Lopez, a guard, was a first-round draft pick by San Antonio in 1998. He was traded on draft day to Vancouver, where he averaged 9.3 points as a rookie and 4.5 last season in very limited playing time.

But what does this recent trade mean for Felipe Lopez?

Lopez automatically goes from a last place team to a playoffs' contender.  The winning ways of Michael Jordan and the newly appointed head coach -- Leonard Hamilton might be what Lopez need in order to rejuvenate his pro basketball career.

On the other hand, the Wizards have several guards currently on their roster including veteran's like Rod Strickland and Mitch Richmond who will demand plenty of playing time -- not good for Felipe Lopez.

The NBA season starts October 31st and the Wizard's will play the Orlando Magic in Florida.

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