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The Denver Nuggets have acquired F Joe Smith from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for G/F Ruben Patterson, team Director of Player Personnel Mark Warkentien announced today.

“We are excited to be able to add a solid veteran like Joe to our frontcourt,” said Warkentien. “We believe his addition gives us one of the deepest frontlines in the NBA.”

Smith, 6-10, 225, has appeared in 751 career games with Golden State, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Detroit and Milwaukee, averaging 12.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg. He averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 44 games with the Bucks last season. He has appeared in 26 playoff games in his career, averaging 6.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg.

Smith enjoyed his best season in 1996-97, averaging 18.7 ppg and 8.5 rpg in 80 games with the Warriors. He was originally drafted by the Warriors with the first overall pick of the 1995 NBA Draft and was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team the following season.

Patterson was acquired by the Nuggets from Portland in a four-team trade on Feb. 23, 2006. He averaged 13.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 26 games with Denver and averaged 12.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg in 71 contests for the year.

InsideHoops.com Editor Jeff Lenchiner Says: This move suggests it's likely Denver won't re-sign Reggie Evans, who is rumored to be asking for the mid-level exception, which is too much money for his services. The Nuggets frontcourt is pretty crowded now, even if Evans is gone (possibly to Minnesota or Cleveland as a free agent). Kenyon Martin has been on the trading block for a long time, so it's possible Denver has found a taker. I haven't heard any rumors involving Marcus Camby or the newly-signed Nene. Chances are, Smith is just a replacement for Evans. But this team needs a shooting guard a lot more than they need another power forward. Unless JR Smith is ready to rise. As for the Bucks, Andrew Bogut and Charlie Villanueva are their center and power forwards, with Brian Skinner and Dan Gadzuric as backups, but they felt a bit weak around the small forward spot. Ruben adds muscle and hustle at the position. Both players are free agents in a season or so. My initial reaction is that this is a good trade for both sides.

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