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News » BUCKS Taking a big forward step Warrick chooses Milwaukee over several other teams 2009-08-02


BUCKS Taking a big forward step Warrick chooses Milwaukee over several other teams 2009-08-02


BUCKS  Taking a big forward step  Warrick chooses Milwaukee over several other teams  2009-08-02
By CHARLES F. GARDNER

Hakim Warrick had a number of willing suitors, but the unrestricted free agent decided to take a chance on the Milwaukee Bucks .

The athletic 6-foot-9 forward agreed to a one-year deal with the Bucks on Friday, team officials confirmed.

"We're looking forward to adding a quality-caliber player such as Hakim," Bucks general manager John Hammond said of the former Memphis Grizzlies player.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but it was expected to be in the $3 million to $3.5 million range.

Warrick became an unrestricted free agent last week when Memphis withdrew its qualifying offer. That gave the Bucks a second chance at landing a talented young forward, after they were unable to work out a deal with Atlanta to obtain restricted free agent Josh Childress earlier this summer.

Warrick averaged 11.6 points and 5.0 rebounds while appearing in all 82 games for the Grizzlies last season. He played primarily off the bench, making just seven starts, but was a key part of the Memphis rotation and averaged 24.7 minutes.

The 27-year-old Warrick, who starred at Syracuse before being selected 19th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2005 draft, has medium range on his jump shot and can play either the power forward or small forward position.

He will join a revamped Bucks front-court rotation that includes newcomers Amir Johnson and Ersan Ilyasova, second-year forwards Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Joe Alexander and center Andrew Bogut.

The Philadelphia native has connected on 50% of his field goal attempts and 72.5% of his free throws during his four-year NBA career.

Several other teams pursued Warrick, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Bobcats.

The Cavaliers were interested in adding him to a star-studded lineup that features LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and former Bucks guard Mo Williams.

The Warrick signing was the biggest in a flurry of moves made by the Bucks on Friday, as they also traded veteran forward Malik Allen to the Denver Nuggets and released veteran guard-forward Bruce Bowen and guard Salim Stoudamire.

Allen was sent to Denver in exchange for guard-forward Sonny Weems, forward Walter Sharpe and cash considerations. The deal was made primarily to clear a roster spot, and the move could net the Bucks about $500,000 in savings.

It is unlikely Weems or Sharpe will end up on the Milwaukee roster.

The Bucks faced a deadline on Bowen's partially guaranteed $4 million contract after acquiring him from San Antonio in a June 23 trade. The Bucks saved $2 million by releasing him Friday.

"We explored trade possibilities to do something with the contract," Hammond said, "but we weren't comfortable with those options.

"We wish Bruce nothing but the best, and he acted with class in dealing with this process."

The Bucks signed the 6-1 Stoudamire to a non-guaranteed contract in late April as a bit of an insurance policy in the backcourt. But his chances grew slimmer when Milwaukee chose a pair of guards in the June draft, point guard Brandon Jennings in the first round and shooting guard Jodie Meeks in the second round.

Meanwhile, Bucks restricted free agent guard Ramon Sessions and his agent, James "Chubby" Wells, continued negotiations with several teams Friday.

The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers reportedly remained the primary players in the hunt for Sessions, who was still waiting to receive an offer sheet.

The Knicks have weighed a number of point-guard options during the summer, including veteran Allen Iverson, unrestricted free agent Jamaal Tinsley and former Memphis guard Jason Williams. But Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has lobbied for Sessions, in the belief the 6-3 guard can run the team's up-tempo offense.

Sessions very likely would have a chance to start in New York, while he would be behind veteran Baron Davis with the Clippers.

The Bucks would have a week to match any offer sheet for Sessions.

But their moves Friday may signal they are willing to pass on the 23-year-old guard and go with the 6-1 rookie Jennings, the 10th overall pick in the draft, and veteran Luke Ridnour.

Copyright 2009, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)


Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: August 2, 2009

 

 
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