http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2506311
The Milwaukee Bucks traded point guard T.J. Ford to the Toronto Raptors on Friday night for forward Charlie Villanueva and cash.
T.J. Ford
Point Guard
Milwaukee Bucks
Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
72 12.2 4.3 6.6 .416 .754
Ford averaged 12.2 points and a team-high 6.6 assists in 72 games last season following a spinal-cord injury that sidelined him for a season and a half.
"He was an inspiration to all of us when he found the will and strength to fight back from the neck injury he suffered during his rookie season," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said. "We wish him much success in Toronto."
The 6-foot Ford was the No. 8 pick in the 2003 draft.
"We are sorry to see Charlie leave, but getting better comes at a cost," Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said. "T.J. Ford's best attributes, quickness and playmaking, are a perfect fit for our team."
Charlie Villanueva
Forward
Toronto Raptors
Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
81 13.0 6.4 1.1 .463 .706
Harris hopes Villanueva will fill the team's need for a power forward to complement 7-foot center Andrew Bogut, the top pick in the 2005 draft.
The 6-foot-11 Villanueva, selected seventh overall in the 2005 draft, averaged 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 81 games for the Raptors. The former Connecticut star set Toronto rookie records for points with 48 on March 26 at Milwaukee and rebounds with 18 on April 2 against New Orleans.
"Acquiring Charlie takes care of a primary need we had going into the summer," Harris said. "He's a gifted power forward who knows how to score both inside and outside. ... The outstanding rookie season he had last year is only the beginning of what he's capable of achieving."
The Bucks, with a revamped roster and Ford as floor leader, reached the playoffs with a 40-42 record last season. It was a 10-game improvement from the previous season when they didn't make the playoffs.
In the playoffs, they lost 4-1 to Detroit in the first round.
On Wednesday, the Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 pick in the draft. The 6-foot-10 European has drawn comparisons to Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki because of his outside shooting skills. Playing last season for Benetton Treviso in Italy's Lega A, Bargnani shot 37 percent from 3-point range, and the Raptors might have viewed Villanueva as expendable after drafting Bargnani.