MILWAUKEE -- Seeking a scoring threat and willing to take on a significant contract, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired forward Corey Maggette in a trade with the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

The Bucks also got a second-round draft pick from the Warriors, giving up guard Charlie Bell and center Dan Gadzuric in return.

Maggette played in 70 games with 49 starts for Golden State last season, averaging 19.8 points per game. He will be expected to provide offense for a team that may lose John Salmons, who can opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

Salmons is going to opt out of his contract with the Bucks, Bucks general manager John Hammond told ESPN.com's Chad Ford.

"Corey has been a consistent scorer throughout his career," Hammond said in a statement. "He shoots a solid percentage from the field and has shown the ability to get to the free throw line. We're looking forward to having him in a Bucks uniform."


Tuesday's deal leaves the Bucks with three selections in the second round of Thursday night's NBA draft.

Maggette, an 11-year veteran, ranked 19th in the league in field goal percentage (.516) last season and had the league's highest scoring average for a player who logged fewer than 30 minutes per game. He has three years and approximately $31 million remaining on his contract.

Bell played in 71 games with 39 starts for Milwaukee last season, averaging 6.5 points, 1.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game. Gadzuric appeared in 32 games with six starts, and averaged 2.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 9.8 minutes per game.

"Charlie and Dan are two high-character veterans who can provide us with some of the intangibles that we need on our squad," Warriors general manager Larry Riley said in a statement. "They are both experienced veterans who will be welcomed additions to our very young team. Additionally, while we certainly wish Corey well and thank him for his outstanding contributions the last two years, this will help alleviate a log-jam that we have at small forward and, more importantly, power forward, where we expect both Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph to return from injuries and play an increased role on our team next season."

Gadzuric will make $7.2 million in the final year of a massive contract that Hammond inherited from the team's previous front office. Bell will make just under $8 million for the next two seasons.

Bell was generally well-liked by Bucks fans but had a few uncomfortable moments with the team. Earlier this year, he was benched in Game 7 of the Bucks' playoff series against Atlanta for disciplinary reasons. Bell also bristled when the Bucks matched an offer sheet from the Miami Heat in 2007.

Bell thanked Bucks fans in a post to his Twitter account, writing, "Thanks Bucks fans for all your support over the years. We had our good times and bad but I will always love the city of Milwaukee."

Information from NBA senior writer Chad Ford and The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Hmmm.... Maggette supposedly didnt like playing for Nelson. He is a legit scorer who gets to the foul line almost at will. Seems like a win for the Bucks as they get an early 2nd round pick, and a scorer to take some pressure off Jennings and the consistently injured Michael Redd.

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I agree. As long as he can play for Skiles.

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Corey doesn't like to play defense.

Skiles likes defense.

Hmmmmm.

BTW, if Maggette's deal can get traded, so can Deng's.

Something tells me this trade is only the beginning...I heard SI's Chris Mannix mention the World Champion Lakers & Kirk Hinrich in the same breath late last week on "The Dan Patrick Show". I also heard something about the Knicks supposedly interested in Ricky Rubio's rights with the Timberwolves. Yes, the same Ricky who didn't play a lick of NBA basketball this past season, and due to contractual obligations overseas, Minnesota's head coach Kurt Rambis said Ricky won't play in this country next season either.

the bucks are suck and baby flies arent going to help. sorry wisconsin, get a hockey team.

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

Corey maggette has been just as injured as Deng, but he has put up better numbers consistently for a longer time. I just think maggette is a better player than Luol. L.Deng hasnt lived up to the hype. His body has failed him, but hey tough shit. Maggette is also from Chicago, so being closer to home may help his comfort level.

Skiles could be an issue, but I think the Bucks are def better after this trade.

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Is this the end of salmons in Milwaukee? Has he decided to opt out of the final year of his deal? I'm thinking he is going to want to cash in before a possible lockout next season.

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Wow, never say never...Warriors found some morons to dump this deal on

as has been mentioned, he doesn't play defense on and on offense he's a giant black hole. Warriors regretted that contract pretty quickly and it's nice they could get out of it

The Bucks do have to take on 2 additional years of Maggette at about $10 million per season.

exactly. have fun with that. although i suppose an argument could be that- like Salmons- this is the only way for the Bucks to get any decent players at all.

It is. Skiles usually finds a way to make anyone with a pulse work. He had Redd trying to play defense before he got injured. This could be big for them or it could be R-Jeff all over again.

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