The Milwaukee Bucks filled the void in the middle of their starting five, acquiring center Samuel Dalembert from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard Shaun Livingston and forwards Jon Brockman and Jon Leuer. The Bucks and Rockets will also trade first-round picks in the 2012 NBA Draft, with the Rockets moving up to the number 12 slot and the Bucks moving down to 14.
"We had an obvious need at the center position," (Bucks general manager Tom) Hammond said Wednesday night after the trade was completed. "He (Dalembert) is a legitimate 7-foot player with great length. He's an above-average shot blocker and rebounder, a guy who is a 70% free throw shooter in his career."
The Bucks traded center Andrew Bogut to the Warriors at last season's trade deadline, and had been using forwards Drew Gooden and Ekpe Udoh in the spot.
Milwaukee was expected to draft a center with the 12th pick, but this doesn't necessarily change their priorities. Dalembert is entering the final year of his contract, and could serve as a bridge until someone like Tyler Zeller or Meyers Leonard is ready to take over the job.
The Rockets have been one of the most active teams in the league heading into the draft. Houston general manager Daryl Morey now controls the 12, 16 and 18 picks, and is reportedly hoping to put together a trade to get into the top ten or acquire Dwight Howard from the Magic.
via Bucks trade for Rockets center Dalembert, move down in draft - JSOnline.
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