The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

BY GERY WOELFEL

The Milwaukee Bucks won't be major players during the NBA free agency period, but they figure to be players nevertheless.

Bucks officials convened Tuesday at their offices in St. Francis and bandied about the names of several free agents that could fit into their plans.

The Bucks seemingly will be in the market for a small forward, especially after trading Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs last week and leaving them with two second-year players in Luc Mbah a Moute and Joe Alexander at the position.

The Bucks could also consider signing a power forward. Despite acquiring two power forwards last week -- young Amir Johnson from the Detroit Pistons and veteran Kurt Thomas from San Antonio in the Jefferson transaction -- there is a chance the Bucks may trade the latter player to a playoff-caliber team.

Some teams have contacted the Bucks about obtaining Thomas as well as veteran swingman Bruce Bowen, who was also part of the Jefferson trade.

While the Bucks don't have the monetary wherewithal to acquire a big ticket purchase in free agency, they do have their mid-level exception at their disposal.

The mid-level exception is worth approximately $5.7 million and, considering how numerous teams are now being extremely money conscious, it could land the Bucks a quality player.

If the Bucks did use part of their mid-level exception or  all of it, they would still likely have enough money remaining to match an offer made to restricted free-agent point guard Ramon Sessions, who'll probably command a starting salary between $4-6 million.

Several teams are expected to court Sessions, one being the New York Knicks. The Knicks attempted to acquire Sessions last summer but their overtures were rebuffed by Bucks general manager John Hammond.

Sessions, regarded as one of the more talented young guards in the league, has a great rapport with Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni and his brother Dan, who is a Knicks assistant coach.

Portland has also showed interest in acquiring Sessions during the trading deadline last February.

Teams can begin contacting free agents at 11 o'clock (Racine time). However, contracts can't be finalized until July 7.

"We will do our due diligence in respect to our own restricted free agents and we will explore other free agent scenarios as well,'' Hammond said Tuesday night.

While Sessions figures to be hotly pursued, so will his former teammate and good friend Charlie Villanueva.

Villanueva, who wasn't tendered a qualifying offer by the Bucks, is an unrestricted free agent.

The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be the frontrunners for the 6-foot-11 forward.

Close friends of Villanueva's said he wants to play for a title-contending team like Cleveland and would welcome the opportunity to be reunited with former Bucks and current Cavs guard Mo Williams. Villanueva also has a friendship with Cavs superstar LeBron James from their high school days.

The Detroit Pistons are also keenly interested in Villanueva, especially since their primary target, Carlos Boozer, will likely remain with the Utah Jazz.

Toronto is another team with Villanueva on their short list of free agent candidates. Villanueva began his pro career in Toronto and his girlfriend and child currently live there.