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MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Bucks are not standing pat at the point during their surprising season.
Milwaukee traded guard Brandon Knight to Phoenix in a three-team deal Thursday that also sent Michael Carter-Williams from Philadelphia to the Bucks.
The Central Division upstarts overhauled the point guard position after also getting rookie Tyler Ennis from Phoenix. The Suns also sent center Miles Plumlee to Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers' protected 2015 first-round pick to the 76ers.
Milwaukee is 30-23 with their season set to resume Friday night following the All-Star break. The Bucks replaced Knight by stocking up on two young guards to work with first-year coach Jason Kidd.
"Jason and his staff have an excellent track record of developing young talent, and we think this trade will accelerate our team's growth as we continue to build toward the future and our goal to put a championship-caliber team on the floor," Milwaukee general manager John Hammond said.
Plumlee also gives the Bucks another body up front with center Larry Sanders' future in doubt following a suspension for violating the NBA's substance-abuse policy.
Carter-Williams was the 11th overall pick in 2013 for the 76ers. He's averaging 15 points, 7.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds this season.
"I can't lie I'm shocked. I love this city thank you for everything," Carter-Williams posted on Twitter. "I can honestly say I gave it my all. I wish Philly nothing but the best."
Later, Carter-Williams wrote, "What I can say is I am excited to be a Buck! Time to work!"
Knight, drafted eighth overall in 2011 by Detroit, was traded to Milwaukee before the 2013-14 season for Brandon Jennings. Knight averaged 17.8 points, 5.4 assists and 4.3 rebounds with the Bucks.
The team last has signaled that it would not be immune to dealing, even if it meant tweaking a young roster that is bound for the playoffs a season after a franchise-worst 15-win season.
Now Carter-Williams might be seen as part of a core that includes forwards Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Ennis is a rookie drafted last summer in the first round.
The first-round pick sent to Philadelphia was initially acquired by Phoenix from the Lakers as part of a sign-and-trade that sent Steve Nash to Los Angeles in 2012.
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