MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Bucks traded forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets for forward Richard Jefferson on Thursday hours before the draft.

Milwaukee has been looking to rid itself of several bloated contracts and decided it was worth trading the rookie that former general manager Larry Harris selected with the No. 6 pick last year along with the rest of Simmons’ contract. Simmons has two years and a little more than $20 million left on his deal.

The Nets get cap room and rid themselves a large contract, too. Jefferson, the second leading scorer in Nets history, averaged 22.6 points last season and has three years and more than $42 million left on his contract.