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| Neal was a big free-agent pickup for the Bucks this summer. Now, he's a Bobcat. |
A bunch of minor trades have gone down today and the 2014 trade deadline has officially passed without any major players being moved. However, it appears that this year's deadline will come and go with only role player and reserve trades going down — that is unless you consider Evan Turner a major player (more on that deal later/tomorrow morning).
In one of the more prominent moves of the day, in terms of players moved but not necessarily teams involved, the Bucks have sent guards Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour to the surprising Bobcats in exchange for point guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien.
Milwaukee signed Neal, formerly of the Spurs, to a two-year, $6.5 million deal this offseason–along with a bunch of other pickups–in the hopes that he would be a key scorer from the perimeter. But, like most of the Bucks' recent moves, this one sizzled a bit, as Neal is shooting a career-low 39% from the field and a dismal 36% from three. He's putting up 10 points per in 20.2 minutes but has only appeared in 30 games, as much of his season has been cut down due to a myirad of injuries.
The Bucks clearly had buyer's remorse with Neal, hence their zeal to ship him anywhere before this season is over. Other teams were interested in his services, though, which is why a few teams were willing to absorb the expiring contract of the 33-year-old Ridnour if they could acquire Neal. In return, Milwaukee was forced to take on Ramon Sessions' expiring deal (worth $5 million for this season) and Adrien, who isn't much more than a throw-in at this point.
