ESPN’s Marc Stein and Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer both report the Bucks have sent Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour to the Bobcats in exchange for Ramon Sessions and Jeff Adrien.
The Bobcats have been looking for shooting as they head towards the stretch run clinging to the No. 8 seed in the East, and Neal was their third choice after missing out the Pelicans’ Anthony Morrow and Magic sharpshooter, Arron Afflalo.
For the Bucks, they avoid paying Neal $3.25 million next year and acquire two expiring contracts.
BREAKING: Bobcats acquire Luke Ridnour and Gary Neal for Ramon Sessions and Jeff Adrien.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) February 20, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Hearing Bobcats have agreed to take back Luke Ridnour in trade WITH Gary Neal to convince Bucks to take back Ramon Sessions. Deal happening
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 20, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
ESPN has learned deal will send Luke Ridnour and Gary Neal to Charlotte for Ramon Sessions and Jeff Adrien
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 20, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Here’s more from Rick Bonnell at the Charlotte Observer:
The Bobcats are giving up primarily Sessions, their backup point guard. He has a special talent for getting to the foul line and was particularly popular in the locker room for his professional attitude. Adrien was a deep reserve, whose salary was thrown in to balance the deal financially.
Ridnour averages 5.7 points and 3.4 assists this season. He can play either guard spot.
Neal left the San Antonio Spurs for the Bucks in free-agency, and struggled to fit into his new setting. He shoots 36 percent from 3-point range, and range shooting has been a big problem this season for the Bobcats, who are trying to hold off the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks for one of the last playoff spots in the East.
What do you think?
Follow Spencer on Twitter at @SpencerTyrel.
Follow Dime on Twitter at @DimeMag.
Become a fan of Dime Magazine on Facebook HERE.
