Honoring his request for a trade, the Dakota Wizards sent Rod Benson to the Reno Bighorns on Wednesday, getting a similar player, Jesse Smith, in return.

"Rod was not happy, and we tried to make it work as long as we could," Wizards coach Duane Ticknor said. "… This gets Rod out to the West Coast. I think everybody will be happier.

"We're going to miss Rod," he added. "He's been a great contributor to our success, but it's time for him to get a change."

Benson, a 6-10 forward-center who played college ball at California, was in his third stint with the Wizards.

In 2006-07, Benson was a washout with the AustinToros, averaging 2.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13 games. The Wizards picked up Benson after he was released and gave him new basketball life. Benson averaged 10.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in 36 games with Dakota and helped the Wizards win the D-League title.

Benson returned to Dakota last season and elevated his game again, leading the D-League in rebounding at 12.1 ppg. He also scored 13.6 points, earning an appearance in the D-League all-star game.

Benson repeatedly said he had no intention of returning to Bismarck for a third season and that he wanted to play overseas for more money. He signed a deal with SLUC Nancy, a team in France, but wasn't getting much playing time, and he and the club parted ways.

Benson was averaging 7.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 20 minutes per game this season. But in a crowded frontcourt with Richard Hendrix, Will Frisby and Hamed Haddadi, wasn't happy with his role.

Benson had actually announced the trade Tuesday on Twitter. Wizards management said Tuesday they were weighing several offers and the deal had not yet been officially completed. A few hours later Benson - who did not return calls from the Tribune - took down the update.

"We had different options on the table," Ticknor said. "We weighed our options, and this was the best fit. We could have let him go, but we didn't want to get caught short-handed if Richard got an (NBA) 10-day contract, of if somebody got hurt in Memphis and Hamed got recalled."

At 6-11 and 260 pounds, Smith is bulkier than Benson, but Ticknor sees him fitting into a similar spot. A veteran center out of Idaho State, Smith is averaging 9.6 points and 6.8 rebounds.

"He's different than what we have," Ticknor said. "Will and Rich are more power guys, and he's more long and lanky."