Croshere was making the veterans' minimum of about $880,000 this season and the Bucks saved about half of that by waiving him before the contract became guaranteed.

The Bucks gained more than just financial relief by waiving Croshere, however. The move provided roster flexibility that could result in a two-for-one trade or the addition of a player waived by another team.

"We're keeping our options open," general manager John Hammond said, indicating that the team could simply sit tight for now.

The Bucks will keep their eyes on the waiver wire this week, when a number of players in situations similar to Croshere's are let go by other teams.

"You're going to see I don't know how many names pop up," Hammond said. "But there will be a number who will be waived because they have non-guaranteed contracts."

Hammond said the Bucks had no specific player in mind.

"There could be someone waived (of interest)," he said. "But we're not going, 'If that guy gets waived, that's the guy we want.' We don't have anything like that right now."

Milwaukee picked up Croshere on waivers Oct. 27 hoping he could provide a veteran influence to the team. But he played in only 11 games, averaging 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game. After practice Tuesday, coach Scott Skiles admitted that Croshere hadn't gotten much of a chance.

"Unfortunately for him, he wasn't getting any playing time," Skiles said. "I didn't give him much of an opportunity. With the emergence of (Luc Richard) Mbah a Moute and trying to juggle minutes, I wasn't able to give him much of an opportunity so hopefully he'll get an opportunity somewhere else. I'm sure he'll have an opportunity. I still think he has game left and he can help someone."

The Bucks have an immediate need for another big man. Both center Andrew Bogut and power forward Malik Allen have been sidelined with injuries.

Bogut has missed the last two games with back spasms. The victory over Toronto on Monday was Milwaukee's first in the five games that Bogut has missed this season. Allen missed seven games last month with a rib injury and now has missed the last five games with a lower-back problem. Both players' status is day to day.

Dan Gadzuric started the last two games in place of Bogut but got into early foul trouble against Toronto and played only 10 minutes. Skiles went to reserve center Francisco Elson, who played 28 minutes and grabbed six rebounds, both season highs.

"Francisco did a nice job," Skiles said. "He came in and played good defense. He played with a lot of energy. We feel like in certain games - I don't know how long Bogut is going to be out - but in certain games, Charlie (Villanueva) can play in there, too. And Malik if he was healthy, but he's not right now, either. We're definitely short a big guy out there but it's an opportunity for other guys to play and Francisco took advantage of it."

Hammond would not discuss what kind of player the Bucks might add to the roster, if they add one at all.

"I don't think we're going to say that we have to go big or small," he said. "We may not fill the position. We may just stay with 14 on the roster for a while."

Bucks vs. 76ers

7 tonight at the Bradley Center

TV: FSN Radio: AM-620

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