Thu Jun 26 17:14:53 2008

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Bucks land Jefferson for Yi, Simmons

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East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - The Milwaukee Bucks shipped forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets on Thursday in exchange for forward Richard Jefferson.

Jefferson is coming off a career-high 22.6 point-per-game season. The Arizona product also averaged 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists, playing a full 82-game slate for just the second time in his career. He has battled knee injuries throughout his seven-year career, but clearly regained his quick first step in the Nets' disappointing campaign last season.

The 28-year-old has three years and $42 million left on his contract, and the Nets cut a huge chunk out of their salary cap with the acquisitions of Simmons, whose deal expires in 2009, and Yi, whose three-year rookie contract expires in two seasons.

"I want to thank Richard for his contributions to the Nets over the past seven years," Nets general manager Rod Thorn said. "He was a member of Nets teams that went to two NBA Finals, won two Eastern Conference championships and four Atlantic Division titles, and leaves as the Nets second all-time leading scorer in franchise history. He always conducted himself in a professional manner, and we wish him only the best for the remainder of his career."

Simmons signed a big contract with Milwaukee after a 16.4-point, 6.0-rebound season with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2004-05, but has been bitten by the injury bug since his arrival in Milwaukee, including missing the entire 2006-07 season with a heel injury. Simmons averaged 7.6 points and 3.2 rebounds a season ago.

Yi logged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds in reluctantly playing his rookie season in Milwaukee. The He Shan, China native desired a bigger market to showcase his talents before the Bucks made him the sixth pick in last year's NBA Draft.

"We feel that Yi can be a very special player," said Thorn. "He is a 20-year- old seven-footer who shoots the ball extremely well, and he is an excellent addition to our frontcourt. Bobby Simmons is a veteran NBA player who has averaged 10 points for his career, and should be a rotation player for us."