BEIJING, June 27 -- The Milwaukee Bucks traded forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets for forward Richard Jefferson on Thursday hours before the draft.
Milwaukee has been looking to rid itself of several bloated contracts and decided it was worth trading the rookie that former general manager Larry Harris selected with the No. 6 pick last year along with the rest of Simmons' contract. Simmons has two years and a little more than 20 million U.S. dollars left on his deal.
Yi Jianlian of China smiles as he wears a Milwaukee Bucks cap after being selected by the Bucks as the sixth overall pick at the 2007 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden in New York June 28, 2007
Harris was let go in March, and new general manager John Hammond is looking to fill several spots as the team tumbled to a 26-56 finish. The Nets get cap room and rid themselves a large contract, too. Jefferson, the second leading scorer in Nets history, averaged 22.6 points last season and has three years and more than 42 million dollars left on his contract.
The move continues the rebuilding of the franchise in the post-Jason Kidd era and puts New Jersey in position to be a major player in 2010 off season, which is expected to include a bumper crop of free agents.
Yi could also develop into a powerful presence, and finally gets to go to a major city with a large Chinese population and more marketing opportunities.
Yi made 49 starts and played in 66 games, averaging 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. He vied with Charlie Villanueva for playing time.
The Bucks' projected starting lineup looks much clearer now with Mo Williams at the point, Michael Redd at shooting guard, Jefferson and Villanueva at forward and Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick in 2005, at center.