Gary Neal traded to Bobcats

By
MARC STEIN via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
via
February 20, 2014, 5:32 PM ET
2 min read

— -- The Charlotte Bobcats have acquired two guards from the Milwaukee Bucks to fortify their playoff drive.

The Bobcats agreed to take on point guard Luke Ridnour in addition to top trade target Gary Neal. They also persuaded the Bucks to absorb the salary of Ramon Sessions.

The final form of the deal sends Neal and Ridnour to Charlotte for Sessions and Jeff Adrien.

The Bobcats confirmed the deal Thursday evening.

"We are excited to add a pair of quality players to our backcourt," Bobcats president Rod Higgins said in a statement. "Gary is an exceptional shooter and Luke is a veteran point guard who can help us off the bench."

The Bobcats (who at 25-30 are in eighth place in the Eastern Conference) have been chasing the disgruntled Neal for some time, but Milwaukee balked at a pure Neal-for-Sessions swap because Sessions is making $5 million this season, compared to Neal's $3.25 million. Adding Ridnour to the trade puts the financial onus back on Charlotte.