The Suns kept saying they wanted to get tougher. What better way than to hire an Outlaw?

In a three-team trade, the Suns acquired Orlando forward Bo Outlaw in a move the club hopes will shore up what has been one of the most porous defenses in the NBA this season.

The Suns sent forward Jud Buechler to Orlando and guard Vinny Del Negro to the Los Angeles Clippers. Also in the deal, Orlando agreed to give the Suns back a first-round pick Phoenix owed the Magic as part of the Penny Hardaway sign-and-trade deal in 1999.

The Clippers received cash in the deal from Orlando, and Orlando gets an option to swap second-round draft picks with the Clippers in 2005.

Suns coach Scott Skiles said the club was looking for "old-fashioned hustle" in making the deal for Outlaw.