Milwaukee Bucks Acquire Samuel Dalembert In Trade With Houston Rockets

By Michael Terrill

The Milwaukee Bucks have traded their No. 12 draft pick, Shaun Livingston, Jon Brockman, and Jon Leuer to the Houston Rockets for center Samuel Dalembert and Houston’s No. 14 draft pick.

There has been much speculation leading up to this week that the Bucks were looking to make some sort of deal, however, this is not what I expected. Dalembert is a 10-year veteran who has spent most of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, but has also played a season with the Sacramento Kings and the Rockets.

Dalembert has a career average of 8.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.9 blocks, 0.5 steals, 3.1 personal fouls, and 1.5 turnovers per game. Last season with Houston, he averaged 7.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 1.7 blocks, 0.6 steals per game.

There is no question Milwaukee needed help offensively at the center position but it does not appear Dalembert is going to be able to offer much help. His 6-foot-11, 250-pound frame is only one inch taller and five pounds heavier than Ekpe Udoh. He is also only one inch taller than Drew Gooden and the same height as Larry Sanders, so it is not as if he is bringing more size. It seems the Bucks want to bring in someone with veteran experience to help teach the younger centers.

Milwaukee could also be bringing in Dalembert to be even more stacked on the defensive side of the court. The 31-year-old is an excellent shot blocker and rebounder, which could make things interesting considering Udoh and Sanders are excellent in both categories in their own regard. Head coach Scott Skiles may feel the need to go big on the court, which would mean playing all three big men together. It would provide a wall of defense, something the Bucks struggled with at times last season.

By converting this trade, the Bucks will be able to go after some different needs in the draft besides a center or power forward. Milwaukee clearly needs a bigger guard and could go deeper at the forward positions. It will be interesting to see whom the Bucks now go after with the last lottery pick in the draft.

It is sad to see Leuer and Livingston leave town after only being with the team one season. I personally had high hopes for Leuer as I expected him to turn into a fine ball player. There is still a good chance that he will make an impact in the NBA but unfortunately, it will not be with Milwaukee. The Bucks were forced to give up all three players to match Dalembert’s $6.7 million option.

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