The Pacers landed shooting guard Ron Mercer, swingman Ron Artest, center Brad Miller and backup point guard Kevin Ollie and sent Rose, point guard Travis Best, rookie guard Norm Richardson and a conditional second-round pick to the Bulls.

"It is very painful to give up players like Jalen Rose and Travis Best who have been a big part of the success we've had here," Pacers president Donnie Walsh said. "I believe this trade will help us because it gives us strength in areas we need them and it will also be helpful to our team's future."

A multi-player trade between the teams appeared imminent when the Bulls elected not to play Artest and Miller in Monday night's game against the Miami Heat.

Mercer, the Bulls' leading scorer at 16.8 points per game, is on the injured list. Artest was the team's second leading scorer at 15.6 points per game and Miller was third at 12.7.

The deal was officially completed on Tuesday morning, two days before the NBA trading deadline.

The Pacers (26-27) are one-half game behind Philadelphia and Charlotte in a battle for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The Bulls (12-40) have the worst record in the NBA.

The 6-8 Rose is a starter at small forward and can also play both guard positions. He averaged 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 53 starts this season and recently said he wanted to finish his career as a Pacer when trade speculation swirled last week.

Rose, who turned 29 last month, is making $10.8 million this season and is guaranteed $72 million over the next five years.