The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired forward Richard Jefferson from the New Jersy Nets in exchange for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons on Thursday just hours before the 2008 NBA draft.
It was announced by John Hammond, general manager of the Bucks.
A major benefit to the Nets is the fact that they have only 27 million U.S. dollars firmly earmarked for player salaries after the 2009-10 season, which gives them a clean slate with which to rebuild a team that won only 33 games last season.
The Nets had always sought to keep their payroll low for the summer of 2010, when - at least theoretically - players such as Le Bron James, Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudemire, and Chris Paul could be come free agents.
"Richard Jefferson is a hard-working, proven, dynamic performer at the forward position," said Hammond. "He's an aggressive player with terrific credentials over his career. He's been a winner, having gone to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, and we’re excited to bring him to Milwaukee.
"We certainly want to thank Bobby and Yi for their contributions to our organization," said Hammond. "Although my time with them in Milwaukee was limited, I know both are talented players with many good years ahead of them in the NBA. We wish both of them well in New Jersey."
Jefferson, 28, averaged a career-high 22.6 points (9th in the NBA) for New Jersey last season, marking the first time in his career that he finished in the top ten in scoring. His 1,857 points were the fourth highest total for a Nets player in a single season, while his scoring average was the sixth highest single season average in New Jersey history.
Chinese Yi was drafted by the Bucks in the first round of last year's NBA Draft (6th overall) and appeared in 66 games during his rookie campaign. He posted averages of 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.85 blocks per game. He ranked 9th among rookie leaders in scoring and 5th in rebounding, and was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December. A native of Shenzhen, China, the 20-year-old will compete in the Beijing Olympics this summer for the Chinese National Team.
Simmons (6-6, 230) spent three seasons in Milwaukee (did not play in the 2006-07 season due to injury) and averaged 10.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 145 games in a Bucks uniform.
Source: Xinhua
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