By Charles F. Gardner of the Journal Sentinel
July 31, 2009 10:51 a.m.
Hakim Warrick, an athletic 6-foot-9 forward who played the past four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, has reached agreement with the Bucks on a one-year deal, sources indicated Friday.
Warrick averaged 11.6 points and 5.0 rebounds while appearing in all 82 games for the Grizzlies last season, primarily in a bench role.
The Grizzlies withdrew their qualifying offer to Warrick last week, making him an unrestricted free agent. A number of teams showed interest in Warrick, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Bobcats.
Warrick is able to play both the small forward and power forward positions and should have an opportunity to start for the Bucks, who have lost Richard Jefferson (in a trade) and Charlie Villanueva (to free agency) this summer.
The former Syracuse star joins Amir Johnson and Ersan Ilyasova at the power forward position. The Bucks also have second-year players Joe Alexander and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who can play both forward spots.
Warrick was the 19th overall pick by the Grizzlies in the 2005 draft after starring at Syracuse. He has played in 307 NBA games, including 82 starts, and has averaged 10.2 points and 4.3 rebounds.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported the Cavaliers had made an offer to a free agent forward, thought to be Warrick, with the team's biannual exception of $2 million.
Warrick played four years at Syracuse and was a member of the Orange's NCAA championship team during his sophomore season. He blocked a three-point attempt to preserve Syracuse's victory over Kansas in the NCAA title game.
He started a career-high 43 games with Memphis in 2006-'07, and that same season he had a 31-point, 13-rebound effort in a game against the Bucks in Milwaukee.
The Bucks also are expected to complete a trade with Denver, one first reported last week. Milwaukee will send veteran power forward Malik Allen to the Nuggets in exchange for guard Sonny Weems and forward Walter Sharpe.
The trade is primarily to clear a roster spot and should result in a savings of about $500,000 for the Bucks.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are reported to be readying an offer sheet to Ramon Sessions, the Bucks' restricted free agent point guard.
The Knicks have weighed several options at point guard, including veteran Allen Iverson and unrestricted free agent Jamaal Tinsley. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni is said to prefer Sessions, however.
