Bucks acquire Tyler Zeller from Nets for Vaughn, 2nd-round pick

The Milwaukee Bucks have made a splash for a big man. No, not DeAndre Jordan.

The team acquired center Tyler Zeller from the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for shooting guard Rashad Vaughn and a protected second-round pick, the Bucks announced Monday.

Zeller, 28, is averaging 7.1 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 54.6 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from long range over 42 games, primarily as a starter. He's owed $1.7 million this year and has an unguaranteed deal worth $1.9 million for 2018-19. He figures to share minutes at the five with his former North Carolina teammate John Henson, as well as Thon Maker on the fifth-place Bucks.

The 7-footer had fallen behind Jarrett Allen and Jahlil Okafor in Brooklyn's rotation, so the Nets swapped him to get the pick, with Vaughn's expiring $1.9-million contract making the transaction work financially.

Brooklyn will receive Milwaukee's 2018 second-rounder only if it falls between 31 and 47. Otherwise, the Phoenix Suns will pick it up as part of the Eric Bledsoe deal. Should the latter transpire, the Nets will get the Bucks' unprotected 2020 selection.