Written by: Matthew Blunk


The Milwaukee Bucks have found a replacement for Andrew Bogut.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter, Milwaukee sent its no. 12 overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, F Jon Leuer, G Shaun Livingston, and F Jon Brockman, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for C Samuel Dalembert and the no. 14 pick.

Granted, Dalembert isn't a long-term solution for the Bucks (he is on a near $7 million expiring contract), and he certainly isn't the player Bogut was. But the 6'11" Haitian is a great rim defender and good rebounder. He should fit right in with what Scott Skiles and the Bucks do. Moving down two spots in a subpar draft and letting go of a low-ceiling prospect like Leuer to acquire a starting center was a shrewd move.

With a true center now on board, Milwaukee GM John Hammond can now turn to perhaps adding a swingman with the no. 14 pick. The Bucks could be losing both Ersan Ilyasova and Carlos Delfino this summer, so depth will be a concern. Mike Dunleavy is a reliable shooter and is ideal for a sixth-man role. Tobias Harris could be in line for more minutes as well.

For the Rockets, this deal could mean GM Daryl Morey is one step closer in his quest to acquire a legitimate big man. Dwight Howard might be too ambitious a target, but you really couldn't blame Houston for trying. Morey now has picks 12, 16, and 18 in the first round, as well as very valuable assets like PG Kyle Lowry and SG Kevin Martin. Expect more wheeling-and-dealing in Clutch City.

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