The theme of the NBA Draft for the Milwaukee Bucks was to improve an offense that finished dead last in scoring last season. The result was a three team trade and a draft pick that brings a number of new faces to Milwaukee.
The Bucks acquired guard/forward Stephen Jackson, guard Shaun Livingston, guard Beno (Bay-no) Udrih (OOH-drick) and the draft rights to forward Tobias Harris in a three-team deal with Charlotte and Sacramento. As a part of the deal, the Bucks sent Corey Maggette to Charlotte and John Salmons and the draft rights to Jimmer Fredette (10th overall) to Sacramento.
Jackson is an 11-year NBA veteran that averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 67 games for Charlotte this past season. He’s averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists during his career. Bucks general manager John Hammond said Jackson will be a tremendous help to the Bucks offense.
AUDIO: John Hammond thinks Stephen Jackson will be a big offensive boost :17
Livingston appeared off the bench in 73 games for the Bobcats last season and averaged 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Last season, Udrih appeared in 79 games for the Kings and averaged 13.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists a game.
Tobias Harris averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds as a true freshman at the University of Tennessee, earning him Second Team All-SEC honors by the league’s coaches. Bucks coach Scott Skiles is high on Harris.
AUDIO: Scott Skiles likes Tobias Harris :20
The Bucks completed the draft by selecting Wisconsin forward Jon Leuer with the 40th overall pick.