MILWAUKEE, July 1 (UPI) -- Milwaukee and Toronto have made a key trade, with the Raptors getting point guard T.J. Ford in exchange for power forward Charlie Villanueva.
Ford, the eighth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft out of Texas, averaged 12.2 points and 6.6 assists in 72 games last season.
The 6-footer missed the final 26 games of the 2003-04 season and all of 2004-05 because of neck surgery.
The 6-foot-11 inch Villanueva was a first round pick by Toronto in 2005.
He averaged 13 points and 6.4 rebounds in 81 games, and set Raptors rookie records for points (48) and rebounds (18) in a game.
The former University of Connecticut product was selected to the NBA's All-Rookie First Team.
"We are sorry to see Charlie leave, but getting better comes at a cost," said Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo. "T.J. Ford's best attributes, quickness and play-making, are a perfect fit for our team."
