Raptors deal Villanueva to Bucks for Ford

[Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It]

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Bucks traded point guard T.J. Ford to the Toronto Raptors on Friday night for forward Charlie Villanueva and cash.

T.J. Ford
Point Guard
Milwaukee Bucks

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
72 12.2 4.3 6.6 .416 .754
 

Ford averaged 12.2 points and a team-high 6.6 assists in 72 games last season following a spinal-cord injury that sidelined him for a season and a half.

"He was an inspiration to all of us when he found the will and strength to fight back from the neck injury he suffered during his rookie season," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said. "We wish him much success in Toronto."

The 6-foot Ford was the No. 8 pick in the 2003 draft.

"We are sorry to see Charlie leave, but getting better comes at a cost," Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said. "T.J. Ford's best attributes, quickness and playmaking, are a perfect fit for our team."

Charlie Villanueva
Forward
Toronto Raptors

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
81 13.0 6.4 1.1 .463 .706
 

Harris hopes Villanueva will fill the team's need for a power forward to complement 7-foot center Andrew Bogut, the top pick in the 2005 draft.

The 6-foot-11 Villanueva, selected seventh overall in the 2005 draft, averaged 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 81 games for the Raptors. The former Connecticut star set Toronto rookie records for points with 48 on March 26 at Milwaukee and rebounds with 18 on April 2 against New Orleans.

"Acquiring Charlie takes care of a primary need we had going into the summer," Harris said. "He's a gifted power forward who knows how to score both inside and outside. ... The outstanding rookie season he had last year is only the beginning of what he's capable of achieving."

The Bucks, with a revamped roster and Ford as floor leader, reached the playoffs with a 40-42 record last season. It was a 10-game improvement from the previous season when they didn't make the playoffs.

In the playoffs, they lost 4-1 to Detroit in the first round.

On Wednesday, the Raptors selected Andrea Bargnani with the No. 1 pick in the draft. The 6-foot-10 European has drawn comparisons to Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki because of his outside shooting skills. Playing last season for Benetton Treviso in Italy's Lega A, Bargnani shot 37 percent from 3-point range, and the Raptors might have viewed Villanueva as expendable after drafting Bargnani.

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

nooo charlie

[Spicemuthafuc*in1]

Wow huge trade! I think both teams can improve from this 2 very young promising players.  Now the Bucks still look strong with Redd, Magloire, Villanueva, Bogut they have a strong frontcourt.  Now you gota believe Mike James will be traded but Ford and Bosh looks nice to.  Interesting move

[Canuck]

i don't like this trade at all Charile V is a great player, but then again toronto has 2 many big men and really needed a gaurd

[Teddy Roosevelt]

It's sad to see Charlie V. go. But atleast the Raptors aquired a true point guard.

[Antonio_]

Good move for both. Toronto will use Bargnani instead of Villanueva tho.

[GangstaBoogy]

aww damn i liked ford and redd together. toronto is making a lot of moves.

[PLANT]

WTF I cant believe they traded Charlie V Fuckin dude was cool as fuck, and a great player.  They were asking him about the trade rumors on draft day and he responded by saying he loves Toronto and wanted to be a Raptor for the rest of his career...

This is a sad day for Raptor fans.  Anyone who follows the raps will be sad to see Charlie V go.  On the other hand, we DID get a pass-first PG, which is hard to find.  Ford is a good player dont get me wrong, but it would been sweet to see Charlie and Chris play alongside eachother.

[Macaframa]

It's sad to see Charlie V. go. But atleast the Raptors aquired a true point guard.

Yea i know CV was my favorite rook, ill stil be a CV fan tho

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

so wuts gonna happen with Mike James?

is he a restricted or unrestricted free agent?

[PLANT]

so wuts gonna happen with Mike James?

is he a restricted or unrestricted free agent?

Mike James is gona be out of Toronto for sure....Dont know where, but Raptors aint gona re-sign him, especially now since they acquired Ford and James publically said he wanted to play for Houston.

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

so wuts gonna happen with Mike James?

is he a restricted or unrestricted free agent?

Mike James is gona be out of Toronto for sure....Dont know where, but Raptors aint gona re-sign him, especially now since they acquired Ford and James publically said he wanted to play for Houston.

i was hoping we couldve done a sign and trade thing if he was a restricted FA, maybe pick up somebody else for him
but i guess we some money this way

[PLANT]

well now the word is the Raptors are tryin to acquire Peja so we will see

[Teddy Roosevelt]

^^You can still do sign and trade deals with unrestricted FA's.

[Mo Z. Dizzle]

^^ it's less likely though isn't it?