Bucks trade for Mirotic in three-team deal

The Milwaukee Bucks acquired sharpshooter Nikola Mirotic from the New Orleans Pelicans as part of a three-team deal Thursday. Forward Thon Maker went from Milwaukee to the Detroit Pistons while New Orleans picked up center Jason Smith and four second-round picks from the Bucks.

The Pistons dealt forward Stanley Johnson to the Pelicans. The Pelicans also get Denver's second-round pick in 2019; Washington's 2020 and 2021 second-rounders; and Milwaukee's second-rounder in 2020, per ESPN.

The 6-foot-10 Mirotic, who turns 28 on Monday, is averaging 16.7 points per game and 8.3 rebounds, both career highs, in 32 games. He's also making 2.7 3-pointers per game, tied for ninth in the NBA and also a career high. "We are thrilled to add such a talented player in Nikola Mirotic to our roster," Bucks general manager Jon Horst said. "He is a skilled, two-way player who fits extremely well into our system. He shoots at a high percentage from beyond the arc, rebounds and defends at his position and provides depth to our frontcourt.

"We thank Thon and Jason for their contributions to the Bucks and wish them well." Mirotic gives the Bucks a third player averaging six 3-point shot attempts per game, joining Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton. According to ESPN, the Houston Rockets are the only other team to feature that many long-range bombers.

In his fourth season, Johnson is averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds. Johnson, 22, was the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft. Maker, 21, averaged 4.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 35 games, all off the bench, for the Bucks this season.

Smith, 32, is headed back to New Orleans, where he played from 2010-11 through 2013-14. He has played with five other NBA franchises, too, including stints with both the Washington Wizards and the Bucks this season. In 18 overall games (one start) in 2018-19, Smith is averaging 3.2 points and 2.7 rebounds. --Field Level Media

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