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General Manager Larry Harris announced today that the Milwaukee Bucks have acquired forward/center Jamaal Magloire from the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets in exchange for forward Desmond Mason, the Bucks 2006 first round draft choice and cash considerations.

Entering his sixth NBA season, Magloire, 27, sports career averages of 9.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocked shots over 343 regular season games. He was named to NBA All-Star team in 2004, posting averages of 13.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game that season. In five preseason games this year, the 6-11, 259-lbs native of Toronto has averaged 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots while shooting 60.5 percent from the field.

Magloire has appeared in 31 playoff contests, including 10 games in the 2001 Playoffs when the Hornets fell to the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. He was selected by the Hornets with the 19th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft out of the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the 1998 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship team.

“In Jamaal Magloire, we were able to add a young, All-Star caliber big man to our front court rotation,” said Harris. “He can score facing up, as well as with his back to the basket and he’s proven to be a good defender and rebounder during his young career.

“A trade like this requires giving up talent to get talent. Desmond Mason has given his heart and soul to our organization and to the community. He’s had a great deal to do with our success both on and off the court, and we thank him and wish him well.”

Mason, 28, played in 190 games for the Bucks since being acquired from Seattle on February 20, 2003. The 6-5, 222-lbs swingman enters his sixth NBA season with averages of 12.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 395 career games. Last season, Mason scored a career-high 17.2 points per game, marking his fifth consecutive season that he had increased his scoring average.

"In Desmond, we get both a defensive stopper and another perimeter scoring option," said Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower. "At the same time, this trade helps us prepare for the future by acquiring that first round pick."

"Desmond had a breakout year for the Bucks last season and I look forward to him continuing to develop his game here with us," said Hornets Head Coach Byron Scott. "His skills and athletic ability fit perfectly into our offense, so I'm excited to get him on the court and have him start learning our system."

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