The Milwaukee Bucks have signed guard Tyronn (tir-ron) Lue and forward Malik (ma-leek) Allen to contracts, General Manager John Hammond announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“Tyronn and Malik have been solid contributors and good teammates throughout their NBA careers,” said Hammond. “They give us added depth at the guard and forward positions, and both bring valuable playoff experience to our roster.”

Lue (6-0, 175) comes to Milwaukee with 10 years of NBA experience. The 31-year-old began the 2007-08 season with Atlanta – his fourth season with the Hawks – before being traded to Dallas in February. He averaged 5.8 points and 1.5 assists in 50 combined games and was a part of Dallas’ postseason roster.

“Having a chance to play for a successful team was important to me and this team is headed in the right direction,” said Lue. “I like the pieces they’re adding to the roster and Coach Skiles has won every place he’s been. I feel I have a good chance to be a leader and contribute to this team’s success.”

Drafted out of Nebraska by Denver with the 23rd pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, Lue was traded on draft night to the Los Angeles Lakers. He played three seasons in Los Angeles and was a part of their 2000 and 2001 NBA Championship runs. He has also spent time with Washington (2001-03), Orlando (2003-04) and Houston (2004). His best statistical campaign came during his first season with Atlanta in 2004-05 when he averaged 13.5 points and 5.4 assists in 49 games after a mid-season trade from Houston. In 510 career games, he has maintained career averages of 8.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds.

Allen (6-10, 255) began the 2007-08 season with New Jersey and was traded to Dallas in February. The seven-year NBA veteran appeared in 73 games on the season with averages of 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds with a 48.0 field goal percentage. In his 25 games with the Mavericks, he shot 50.0 percent from the field and he saw action in three of the club’s first-round playoff tilts.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” said Allen. “I’m familiar with Coach Skiles and his system. I respect how he approaches the game and how he wants his players to approach the game. I also like how this roster is shaping up and I feel that everyone is in a winning mode right now and ready to make this team successful.”

Undrafted out of Villanova in 2000, the 30-year-old played in the ABA and International Basketball League in 2000-01 before signing with Miami prior to the 2001-02 season. He remained with the Heat until being traded to Charlotte during the 2004-05 season. Allen has also played with Chicago, New Jersey and Dallas in his 360-game NBA career. Over those seven seasons, he has averaged 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds. He has been a part of four playoff teams (24 games) throughout his career.

Fan reaction to the news is in this forum thread.