Mavericks trade for Bucks center Zaza Pachulia

The Dallas Mavericks acquired center Zaza Pachulia in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

The Dallas Mavericks acquired center Zaza Pachulia in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. The Bucks received a future Mavericks second-round draft pick in exchange.

Pachulia, 31, spent the last two seasons with the Bucks following eight with the Atlanta Hawks. For Milwaukee in 2014–2015, he averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds over 23.7 minutes per game, appearing in 73 and starting 45.

The 6'11" center from Tbilisi, Georgia, has averaged 7.0 points and 5.6 rebounds over his 12 NBA seasons.

Pachulia is due $5.2 million on his expiring contract next season and allows the Bucks to free up frontcourt space for free-agent acquisition Greg Monroe and and John Henson.

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For the Mavericks, Pachulia provides another large body after DeAndre Jordanreneged on his verbal commitment to Dallas and instead re-signed with Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Pachulia’s $5.2 million salary brings the Mavericks to about $12 million in cap space, although they are not expected to overspend in filling out the roster, reportsThe Dallas Morning News.

- Mike Fiammetta