And the Milwaukee Bucks general manager has practiced what he was preaching, acquiring low-risk, short-term contracts and making his fair share of trades.

On Tuesday, the Bucks officially completed a trade with the Toronto Raptors, acquiring small forward Carlos Delfino and point guard Roko Ukic while sending forward Amir Johnson and guard Sonny Weems to Toronto. The Raptors, who technically held Delfino's rights, had to sign him before trading him to the Bucks .

According to league sources, Delfino agreed to a three-year contract that will pay him $3.5 million per season. But the deal is of the low-risk variety because it is partially guaranteed for the second season and not guaranteed in the third season.

The 24-year-old Ukic is owed $1.35 million for next season and has a player option of $1.45 million for the 2010-'11 season.

The 6-foot-6 Delfino provides a different set of skills at small forward, complementing those of second-year players Joe Alexander and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. While Mbah a Moute proved himself as a defender in his rookie season, Delfino offers an offensive threat.

"He's got experience, and we felt we needed to add a wing shooter," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said of Delfino, who played last season for BC Khimki Moscow in the Russian-A Superleague. "He's a very good rebounder at his position, a good all-around player."

Delfino, who will turn 27 later this month, played three seasons with Detroit and one with Toronto before going to Russia last season.

He averaged 10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 league games with BC Khimki, and he averaged 13.0 points while shooting 41.7% from three-point range in 10 Eurocup games.

"He does different things offensively," Skiles said. "He can put the ball on the floor and make a play for somebody else; he can help push the ball up court. Plus, he's a shooter.

"When the guys come back, we've got to look and see how it all shapes up. But if we want to start the game with more of an offensive three, we can. We'll have a nice point guard battle. These are the kind of options you want."

The Bucks have first-round pick Brandon Jennings, veteran Luke Ridnour and Ukic in the mix at point guard. Restricted free agent Ramon Sessions remains in limbo, yet to receive an offer from another NBA team.

The Bucks made a $1 million qualifying offer to Sessions in June to retain the right to match offers by other clubs.

The 6-5 Ukic competed for Lottomatica Roma in the Italian League in 2007-'08, the same team that Jennings played for last season.

Ukic played in 72 games with Toronto last season, his rookie year in the NBA.

Copyright 2009, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)