Warriors send Ellis to Bucks for Bogut, Jackson

ORLANDO – The Milwaukee Bucks have agreed in principle to trade center Andrew Bogutand guard-forward Stephen Jackson to the Golden State Warriors for guard Monta Ellis, forward Ekpe Udoh and center Kwame Brown, according to a person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly until the trade became official.

 

The deal also has a direct impact on the Orlando Magic, who inquired about landing Ellis to placate center Dwight Howard and convince him to sign a long-term deal with Orlando before the NBA's Thursday 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.

When it became known that Bogut was available, the Bucks began receiving phone calls from several teams. But to facilitate a trade for Bogut, the Bucks wanted a team to take Jackson, who will make $10 million next season.

• MORE: Howard could determine fate of Magic's front office

Jackson also wanted out of Milwaukee, where he has been unhappy since being acquired by the Bucks in a draft day trade last June.

The 18-24 Bucks have won three in a row to move into a tie with the New York Knicks for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Ellis gives the Bucks a prolific scorer in the backcourt with point guard Brandon Jennings. Ellis is the NBA's ninth leading scorer, averaging 21.9 points, and he adds six assists per game.

However, the Bucks might encounter a problem similar to the one Golden State had: how to match two guards who love to handle the ball.

The trade frees up Golden State's backcourt, which at times struggled to play Ellis and guard Stephen Curry at the same time. It also gives the Warriors another low-post threat to pair with forward David Lee.

However, Bogut has played just 12 games this season. He broke his left ankle against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 25 and is not expected back for at least another month.