Hornet Trade Center Magloire

The New Orleans Hornets traded center Jamaal Magloire to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday in exchange for forward Desmond Mason, an unconditional first-round pick in the 2006 draft and cash. Magloire, an All-Star two seasons ago, averaged 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds in 23 games for the Hornets last season. The 6-foot-11 center missed 51 games last season with a broken right ring finger. He had expressed a desire to be traded to Toronto, his hometown.

"We think for us and for him, it's probably the best thing to do," Hornets coach Byron Scott said.

Magloire hugged Scott and his Hornets teammates at the end of practice, but left the Ford Center without commenting to reporters.

"In Jamaal Magloire, we were able to add a young, All-Star-caliber big man to our front court rotation," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said. "He can score facing up, as well as with his back to the basket and he's proven to be a good defender and rebounder during his young career.

Mason, a 6-foot-5 forward from Oklahoma State, averaged 17.2 points in 80 games for the Bucks last season. A first-round draft pick out of Oklahoma State in 2000, Mason will be returning to familiar territory with the Hornets, who will play 35 of their home games in Oklahoma City this season after being forced out of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. (More at ABC News) Good to see Des Mason back in OKC, this time playing professional ball.