The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

GERY WOELFEL

Caron Butler is moving on with mixed emotions.

The Racine native was traded Saturday by the Washington Wizards to the Dallas Mavericks in a seven-player transaction.

Butler, a two-time All-Star, said he's delighted to be joining a championship-caliber team in the Mavericks, who are hoping Butler is the missing piece to a title run.

"I'm very happy to be headed to Dallas and having a chance to compete for a title,'' Butler said in a text message. "I've truly been blessed to play here in Washington.''

Butler was traded to Dallas with center Brendan Haywood and shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson for forward Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, forward James Singleton and guard Quinton Ross.

Jennings has Grade A time in Big D

Brandon Jennings didn't win the MVP title in the Rookie Challenge or prevail in the Skills Challenge, but the Milwaukee Bucks rookie was nothing short of elated to participate in the events during All-Star Weekend.

"I had a chance to be in two different events and that's something a lot of players can't say they've done,'' Jennings said. "This was more than I ever expected with all of the appearances and interviews. Every day I was on the run.

"I had a real good time.''

Jennings scored 22 points in the Rookie Challenge Friday night and had a time of 35.7 in the first round of the Skills Challenge Saturday night. The latter competition was won by Phoenix guard Steve Nash at 29.9.

Utah guard Deron Williams advanced to the final against Nash after having a time o 34.1 in the semis. Guard Russell Westrook of Oklahoma City, the fourth competitor, had a time of 44.1.

Horford has sympathy for Bogut

Atlanta center Al Horford said he could understand why some Bucks fans were upset that he, instead of Bucks center Andrew Bogut, was chosen as a replacement player on the Eastern Conference All-Star game.

"I can't control how the coaches feel and how they pick players,'' said Horford, the son of former Bucks center Tito Horford. "Bogut is having a great year. Bogut is a great player.

"I feel my team is having a really good year and the coaches acknowledged that by picking me.''

BONUS SHOTS: NBA commissioner David Stern said he anticipates the league losing $400,000 this season. ... Some NBA players were grumbing because the NBA only allotted each player only two complimentary tickets. ... There are some NBA insiders who believe that Toronto superstar Chris Bosh will eventually end up in his hometown with the Mavericks. ... Bucks general manager John Hammond and Bucks vice president Ron Walter attended All-Star festivities Saturday night at American Airlines Center. ... Hammond said the Bucks don't have any trade in the works. The trading deadline is Feb. 18. The Bucks have looked into several potential deals, including one with the Pacers for veteran forward Troy Murphy.