NETS TRADE JEFFERSON TO BUCKS GET BACK YI, SIMMONS; NO PICKS DEALT
By FRED KERBER 
The Nets acquired power forward Yi Jianlian from the Bucks for Richard Jefferson.
Last updated: 6:04 pm
June 26, 2008
The Nets New Jersey Nets have traded forward Richard Jefferson Richard Jefferson  to the Milwaukee Bucks for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.
The trade could be interpreted as a way for the Nets to clearsalary-cap space for a possible run at LeBron James, Dwyane Wade orChris Bosh, who become free agents after the 2009-10 season.
"That's certainly a theory," Nets president Rod Thorn told WFANtoday. "Like all teams, we're trying to manage our salary cap, and ifwe can get our salary cap in a good place at some point in time thatcertainly would be an advantage for us, too."
Though the NBA Draft is tonight, this deal did not include the Bucks' No. 8 pick or the Nets' choices at Nos. 10 and 21.
Yi, the sixth pick in last year's draft, adds size to the Netswhile making a rookie-scale $2.98 million and $3.19 million the nexttwo seasons.
The 20-year-old from China averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in 66 games in his rookie season.
Thorn told WFAN host Chris Russo the trade was made to acquire Yi.
"We really think Yi has the opportunity to be a special player,"Thorn said. "You're talking about a 7-foot player who's very quick andshoots the ball well."
Simmons, 28, is due to make $9.92 million and $10.56 million, withhis contract also expiring after the '09-'10 season. The six-seasonveteran averaged 7.6 points and 3.2 rebounds last season.
Simmons was given a five-year, $47 million contract in theoffseason after being honored as the NBA's Most Improved Player in2005. He missed all the 2006-07 season with ankle and foot injuries.
Thorn said Simmons was part of the deal in order to make thesalaries in the trade balance, as well as to play small forward inJefferson's absence. It's completion is pending physicals for theplayers.
Jefferson, 28, who has three years remaining on his contract at$13.2 million, $14.2 million, and $15 million, was a key player on theNets teams that reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
Jefferson was acquired by the Nets in a 2001 draft-day deal with Houston, who selected him out of Arizona with the 14th pick.
Plagued by injuries in two of the past four seasons, he averaged 17.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in seven Nets seasons.
Last season, he played all 82 games, averaging a career-high 22.6 points.
"He happens to be one of my favorite players," Thorn said ofJefferson. "He played hard, he played hurt, I can't say enough goodthings about him.
"[But] in order to get good players you've got to give up good players."
With Jefferson's $15 million off the books for 2011, and Simmons'contract expiring, the Nets could be flush with funds to pursue James,Wade or Bosh if they so choose.
The Nets are scheduled to move to a new arena in Brooklyn in 2010.
With AP |
發表於 2008-6-27 06:44 AM
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