Bucks and Sixers agree to trade

The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to a trade that will send Jodie Meeks and Francisco Elson to the Philadelphia 76ers for Primoz Brezec, Royal Ivey and a second-round draft pick.

(photo courtesy NBA.com)

My Take

Nothing much to see here. The Bucks welcome back Royal Ivey and continue to add to more culture to their diverse roster. Brezec has played in seven games for the Sixers this year and has averaged a whopping five minutes per contest. The Bucks are preparing his seat at the end of the bench as we speak.

It's disappointing to see Meeks go. He has loads of potential and I can only wish him the best luck in Philadelphia. As for Elson, get well soon...your seat at the end of Philly's bench will be very lonely while you're recovering from hernia surgery.

Bucks trade for Salmons

The Milwaukee Bucks made it official on Thursday by announcing they have traded Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander, whose contracts both expire at the end of the season, to the Chicago Bulls for John Salmons.

The Bucks also have the option of switching first-round picks in this year's draft, provided the Bulls' pick isn't in the top 10. The Bulls added second-round draft choices in 2011 and 2012.

Warrick, a 6-9 power forward, averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in half of a season with the Bucks. Alexander, the eighth overall pick in 2008, has battled a hamstring injury this season and hasn't played.

Salmons has a $5.8 million player option for next season that the Bulls didn't want to deal with as they clear space to be a major player in free agency this summer. Salmons will fill in for injured shooting guard Michael Redd.

"He's a good pro guard," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said of Salmons. "He's been a solid player for quite a while, and we feel like we still need to solidify one of our perimeter spots, especially with Michael out. So it made sense."

(story courtesy ESPN.com)

(photo courtesy NBA.com)


My Take

I think that this move makes the Bucks better for sure. Will it put them over the top and clinch the 8th seed? Maybe.

Alexander never did anything close to remarkable in his rookie year, unless you consider being a candidate to be voted into the dunk contest (which he lost) an accomplishment. It's safe to say he has been a bust, regardless of how much time he spent in Milwaukee.

Warrick is an energetic and hard-working player, but he doesn't play a whole lot of defense, and coach Scott Skiles heavily promotes strong 'D'. Thankfully we'll now be spared from watching his ugly fade-away jumper from the top of the key. He can be a quality player when given proper minutes, but he's not much better than a decent backup.

Salmons will likely take over for Charlie Bell in the starting lineup, and on some nights Carlos Delfino. His versatility is nice, and he should be the third scoring option for the Bucks.

What's even more important are the draft picks that the Bulls included. Milwaukee will have the option of switching first round picks in this year's draft as long as Chicago's pick isn't within the top 10. The Bulls will also send a second round pick in 2011 and 2012.

Overall, I think this trade is a win for the Bucks. They have an opportunity of making the playoffs AND receiving a lottery pick, both of which are important for the resurgence of this franchise. Playoff experience is needed for the young roster and the best way to build a team is through the draft. It'll be exciting to see what Salmons can do for the Bucks and hopefully we'll still be watching them play when the regular season is over.

Bucks assign Alexander to D-League

(photo courtesy of NBA.com)

The Bucks recently announced that they have assigned forward Joe Alexander to the Fort Wayne franchise of the NBA Development League.

Alexander, who had his contract option declined by the Bucks in November, was working out with the team on its western road trip to prepare for a return to action. He has not played in a game this season due to a right hamstring strain he suffered in late September, just before training camp opened.

"This is nothing more than providing an opportunity for Joe to get on the floor in extended, live minutes," Bucks general manager John Hammond said Wednesday. "It's a chance for him to get his timing, feel and flow back to a real-game rhythm." He looks healthy and Joe would say he feels healthy," Hammond said. "But he's to the point where he does need to be on the floor."

Alexander played limited minutes as a rookie, appearing in 59 games with the Bucks after being selected eighth overall in the 2008 draft. After he was injured in September and aggravated the hamstring strain in October, the Bucks decided not to pick up the first option year on his rookie-scale contract.

That will make the former West Virginia player an unrestricted free agent at the end of the current season.

"There's not a predetermined time as to how little or how long he'll be there," Hammond said. "There's no way an experience like this could ever hurt Joe. The primary purpose is not for experience. It's just an opportunity to get on the floor and play in live game action."

(story courtesy of JSOnline)

My Take

Na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye! Tally up another Milwaukee Bucks draft lottery bust. Alexander has made it clear that he would like to be traded and have an opportunity to earn playing time on a different team. This move could spark some trade talk prior to the February 19th NBA trade deadline so don’t be surprised to see the Bucks making a move in the coming weeks.

Bucks' Elson out six weeks

(picture courtesy Nike.com)


Milwaukee Bucks center Francisco Elson will miss six weeks after having surgery to repair a hernia.

The 7-foot backup center has been used sparingly for the Bucks, playing 60 minutes over 11 games. The 33-year-old Elson has 10 points and 13 rebounds this season, his seventh in the NBA.

General manager John Hammond confirmed Monday that Elson had surgery on Friday.

(story courtesy ESPN.com)

My Take

Not a big deal as far as the team goes, but here's to wishing Elson a full recovery.