NBA: AP Sources: Bobcats get Ridnour, Neal from Bucks
Charlotte, N.C. • The Charlotte Bobcats acquired guards Luke Ridnour and Gary Neal from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien on Thursday, according to two people familiar with the situation.
The people spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the trade has yet to be approved by the league.
The trade is expected to give Charlotte's outside shooting a boost as the Bobcats make a push for the playoffs. Neal, a career 43 percent 3-point shooter, should help a team that lacks a true shooting guard. Session was a valuable backup point guard for Charlotte but Ridnour should help to fill that void.
Neal spent three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before signing this past offseason with the Bucks as a free agent. He was averaging 10 points per game this season while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range coming off the bench.
Ridnour, in his 11th NBA season, can play both guard spots. He's played in 36 games this season and is averaging 5.7 points and 3.4 assists per game in 21.2 minutes. He's averaging 9.8 points per game for his career.
Sessions was having a successful second season with the Bobcats, averaging 10.5 points and 3.7 assists per game. He started seven games with point guard Kemba Walker out with a sprained ankle and filled in well.
Sessions, who likes to drive to the hole and draw contact, has averaged at least 10 points per game in each of his last five seasons.
Adrien has seen limited action for the Bobcats and hasn't been in their rotation much in recent weeks. He has played in 25 games and averaged 2.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
The Bucks acquire two expiring contracts in the deal and will avoid paying Neal $3.5 million next season.
Charlotte was eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff race, 2 1/2 games ahead of Detroit, after Wednesday's games. The Bucks have the worst record in the NBA.
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AP Sports Writer Genaro Armas in Phoenix contributed to this report.