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Bucks trade Yi Jianlian to New Jersey

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-27 12:59

But Thorn acknowledged he wasn't sure what his new team would like without its veteran stalwarts. The Nets, who missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years by going 34-48, traded Kidd to Dallas for Devin Harris and the Mavericks' first-round draft pick, which they used to select Ryan Anderson.

"Right now, it's a work in progress," Thorn said.

One thing is for certain, the Nets get Yi, who could also develop into a powerful presence and finally gets to go to a major city with a large Chinese population with more marketing opportunities.

"My feeling is with Yi's upside it was something we had to look at. A 20-year old kid with his skill set, we feel he has a big future," Thorn said.

If he's indeed 20. Allegations have dogged Yi (EE') that he's up to three years older, and he flatly told the AP earlier this season that he didn't want to talk about it.

Related readings:  Yi wants to be No 1  NBA player Yi Jianlian appeals for donations  Yi hopes to carry Olympic torch  Yi sprains knee but reassures fans he'll be fine for Olympics

"I just feel like there's no point in talking about it too much," Yi said in December. "If you look at my passport, if you look at anything, it's got my birth date, so there's really nothing I can say more."

Yi, who will play for the China in the Olympics, also took his time signing with Milwaukee after being selected in last year's draft and wasn't swayed to join the Bucks until a contingent that included owner and U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl traveled to China to complete the deal. But Hammond emphatically denied Thursday night that he was forced to make a trade.

Yi made 49 starts and played in 66 games, averaging 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. He vied with Charlie Villanueva for playing time.

Simmons never lived up to a five-year, $47 million contract he signed in the offseason after being honored as the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2005. After a tough first year adjusting, he missed all the 2006-07 season with ankle and foot injuries and averaged just 7.6 points in 70 games.

"He's greatly appreciative of everything the Bucks have done for him. They gave him a terrific contract, a great opportunity. He's had some injuries, which have been really unfortunate," Simmons' agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. "In tough times, you need a fresh start to kind of change your luck."

The Bucks' projected starting lineup looks much clearer now with Mo Williams at the point, Michael Redd at shooting guard, Jefferson and Villanueva at forward and Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick in 2005, at center.

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