Breaking News Richard Jefferson Traded To The Spurs

In his weekly ESPN chat, Chad Ford has reported that the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks have agreed in principle to a trade that would send Richard Jefferson to the Spurs in exchange for Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto, and Bruce Bowen.

The deal has not yet been finalized, as the teams must work out the details and make sure the salaries match. The deal has come just two days before the draft on June 25.

Ironically it was just last year on draft day when the Bucks made headlines by acquiring Jefferson from the New Jersey Nets for Yi Jinlian and Bobby Simmons. However after winning just 34 games, it appears that the Bucks are ready to head in a new direction.

The trade instantly adds athleticism and scoring from the wing position, something the Spurs have been looking for since the trade deadline this past February, as rumors linked them to Vince Carter. In any event, Jefferson will alleviate some of the scoring burden that was placed upon Tim Duncan and Tony Parker this past season.

For the Bucks, the deal has to be about cap space. With talented point guard Ramon Session and versatile wing Charlie Villanueva heading into free agency this summer, the team needs the money to keep their young talent. The Buck's Michael Redd is one of the many talented players who will become an unrestricted free agent in 2010 as well. Therefore, it will be interesting to see the money spent and moves made by the franchise following the offseason's first blockbuster.