Bucks deal Williams in three-team trade

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Milwaukee Bucks’ General Manager John Hammond said he was looking for a more traditional point guard and that’s why he acquired Luke Ridnour from Oklahoma City Wednesday.

It was part of a six-player deal in which the Bucks traded point guard Mo Williams to Cleveland and forward Desmond Mason to Oklahoma City.

Cleveland sent forward Joe Smith to Oklahoma and guard Damon Jones to Milwaukee and Oklahoma sent small forward Adrian Griffin to the Bucks along with Ridnour.

The trade was not a surprise, since it was rumored the day before.

The 27-year-old Ridnour averaged double figures in his last three seasons, but he lost his starting job last year in Seattle, which is now the Oklahoma City franchise, and he only had six points a game.

However, Hammond says he’s confident Ridnour can handle the starting point guard role with the Bucks and would play well with Richard Jefferson and Michael Redd.

Williams had 17 points and six-plus assists for the Bucks last season. He’s expected to give LeBron James some help in the Cavaliers’ back-court.

Jones will have a second stint in Milwaukee after playing there in 2004.

Mason will have his second tour of duty in Oklahoma City, his first being with the New Orleans Hornets, who played there in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The trade saves the Bucks around $30 million in current contracts.

Also Wednesday, the Bucks signed former San Antonio back-up center Francisco Elson. He’ll get $3 million over two years.

Tags: wisconsin sports, williams, bucks