Trade Breakdown

The Big Three of Milwaukee are no more. In less than a year, GM Ernie Grunfeld has shipped off Glenn Robinson, Ray Allen and Sam Cassell. This move comes as no surprise -- the Bucks have been seeking a deal for Cassell since the trade deadline and last night's draft selection of point guard T. J. Ford put the writing on the wall. Coach George Karl grew weary of Cassell's on and off the court antics. Neither Joe Smith nor Anthony Peeler is expected to play a huge role. The Bucks will most likely choose not to exercise their team option on Peeler, making him a free agent on July 1. Smith will battle for minutes alongside Tim Thomas, Anthony Mason, Marcus Haislip and Jason Caffey at power forward. Does this signal that Gary Payton will re-sign this summer? Payton has hinted lately that he wants to stay in Milwaukee. With Michael Jordan coming in as the new owner, Payton's incentive to stay increases. -- NBA Insider Chad Ford Read more at Insider

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves traded forward Joe Smith and guard Anthony Peeler to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday for guard Sam Cassell and center Ervin Johnson.

Cassell, 33, averaged 19.7 points per game for the Bucks last season, his 10th year in the league. He became expendable for Milwaukee when the Bucks acquired veteran Gary Payton from Seattle last season.

"We want to put players on the floor, and that's what Sammy is," Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said.

The Timberwolves expect Cassell to play alongside current point guard Troy Hudson as well as to relieve Hudson at the point.

Johnson, 35, averaged 2.2 points per game last year for the Bucks as a backup.

Smith missed 26 games to injuries last season for the Wolves, his eighth year in the league. He averaged 7.5 points and five rebounds per game.

"Joe Smith gives us a talented, athletic and experienced big man," general manager Ernie Grunfeld said on the Bucks' Web site. "He gives us versatility up front by being able to play all the front-court positions."

Peeler, Minnesota's all-time 3-point field goal leader, averaged 7.7 points per game last season.