The New Jersey Nets decided to part ways with the second-leading scorer in franchise history, dealing Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee hours before the draft Thursday for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.

"We certainly gave up a good player, but to get a good player you have to give up a good player. With Yi, we feel his upside is very up," Nets president Rod Thorn said. "We feel strongly he's going to be a real good player for us."

No draft picks were swapped in the trade.

Milwaukee has been looking to rid itself of several bloated contracts and decided it was worth trading the rookie whom former general manager Larry Harris selected with the No. 6 pick last year along with the rest of Simmons' contract.

But the Bucks had to add more salary to do it, taking on the rest of Jefferson's deal, three more years at $42.4 million.

"We inherited a little bit of a salary predicament coming into this job, and really what we've done today has not changed anything we've done for the next two seasons," new general manager John Hammond said. "In the third season, we will have an issue to deal with, but I think by that time, we'll have plenty of flexibility to move some pieces if necessary."

Harris was let go in March, and Hammond is looking to fill several spots as the team tumbled to a 26-56 finish. The Bucks selected versatile forward Joe Alexander with the No. 8 pick, and Jefferson provides veteran leadership to a team seeking winners in the locker room.

O'Neal confirms trade

The Indiana Pacers are trading six-time All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal to the Toronto Raptors for point guard T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in the draft and a player to be determined.

Toronto picked Roy Hibbert of Georgetown at No. 17 on Thursday night.

O'Neal confirmed the trade earlier Thursday, saying he was pleased with the move by team president Larry Bird.

A deal can't be finalized until July 1, when Ford's base-year compensation tag comes off the books.

O'Neal said he took his physical Wednesday, but he wasn't sure if Ford had finished his.

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