Williams trade being explored
Ridnour would land here in 3-way swap
By CHARLES F. GARDNER
cgardner@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 12, 2008

Milwaukee Bucks guard Mo Williams could be headed to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade, with the Bucks targeting point guard Luke Ridnour of the Oklahoma City franchise, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics.
NBA sources confirmed that there had been discussions involving the three teams. Cleveland is searching for backcourt help to complement LeBron James, and Williams could fit the bill.
But Williams carries a hefty price tag with five years and $43 million left on the $51 million contract the point guard signed with the Bucks before last season, when he was an unrestricted free agent.
Cleveland had some interest in Williams last summer, and the Miami Heat made him an offer, but he chose to stay with the Bucks.
The Cavaliers have been unable to come to a contract agreement with point guard Delonte West, who is a restricted free agent this summer, and he could be part of the deal in a sign-and-trade, according to reports.
Or Oklahoma City could receive former Bucks forward Joe Smith, who has an expiring contract and will be paid $4.8 million next season, as part of its compensation in the deal.
The Bucks are interested in Ridnour, according to league sources. The 6-foot-2 guard from Oregon has played five seasons for the SuperSonics since being selected 14th overall in the 2003 draft.
Oklahoma City suddenly has a surplus of point guards with Ridnour, Earl Watson and Russell Westbrook, the fourth overall pick in the June draft.
The 27-year-old Ridnour has two years and $13 million left on his contract, and his acquisition would allow the Bucks to unload Williams' contract, negotiated by former Bucks general manager Larry Harris.
Ridnour will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Williams will be paid $8.4 million next season and is under contract through the 2012-'13 season, when he has a player option. In order to make the salaries match, other considerations might be part of the deal.
Ridnour made only five starts in 61 games with Seattle last season and averaged 6.4 points, the lowest total since his rookie season. During the previous three seasons, Ridnour started a total of 217 games and averaged in double figures each year, including a career-best 11.5 points and 7.0 assists during the 2005-'06 season.
Williams averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists and shot 48% for the Bucks last season.
He played in 66 games but was bothered by a sore right thumb for much of the season. After the season, Williams underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in the thumb.
The surgery was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York by hand specialist Michelle Carlson.
New Bucks general manager John Hammond has reshaped the team this summer with a trade that sent Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for veteran small forward Richard Jefferson, and the drafting of forwards Joe Alexander and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
Ridnour would land here in 3-way swap
By CHARLES F. GARDNER
cgardner@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 12, 2008

Milwaukee Bucks guard Mo Williams could be headed to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade, with the Bucks targeting point guard Luke Ridnour of the Oklahoma City franchise, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics.
NBA sources confirmed that there had been discussions involving the three teams. Cleveland is searching for backcourt help to complement LeBron James, and Williams could fit the bill.
But Williams carries a hefty price tag with five years and $43 million left on the $51 million contract the point guard signed with the Bucks before last season, when he was an unrestricted free agent.
Cleveland had some interest in Williams last summer, and the Miami Heat made him an offer, but he chose to stay with the Bucks.
The Cavaliers have been unable to come to a contract agreement with point guard Delonte West, who is a restricted free agent this summer, and he could be part of the deal in a sign-and-trade, according to reports.
Or Oklahoma City could receive former Bucks forward Joe Smith, who has an expiring contract and will be paid $4.8 million next season, as part of its compensation in the deal.
The Bucks are interested in Ridnour, according to league sources. The 6-foot-2 guard from Oregon has played five seasons for the SuperSonics since being selected 14th overall in the 2003 draft.
Oklahoma City suddenly has a surplus of point guards with Ridnour, Earl Watson and Russell Westbrook, the fourth overall pick in the June draft.
The 27-year-old Ridnour has two years and $13 million left on his contract, and his acquisition would allow the Bucks to unload Williams' contract, negotiated by former Bucks general manager Larry Harris.
Ridnour will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Williams will be paid $8.4 million next season and is under contract through the 2012-'13 season, when he has a player option. In order to make the salaries match, other considerations might be part of the deal.
Ridnour made only five starts in 61 games with Seattle last season and averaged 6.4 points, the lowest total since his rookie season. During the previous three seasons, Ridnour started a total of 217 games and averaged in double figures each year, including a career-best 11.5 points and 7.0 assists during the 2005-'06 season.
Williams averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists and shot 48% for the Bucks last season.
He played in 66 games but was bothered by a sore right thumb for much of the season. After the season, Williams underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in the thumb.
The surgery was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York by hand specialist Michelle Carlson.
New Bucks general manager John Hammond has reshaped the team this summer with a trade that sent Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for veteran small forward Richard Jefferson, and the drafting of forwards Joe Alexander and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
Comment