Logan, Utah- The Milwaukee Bucks acquired longtime Utah Jazz fan Kendell Eliason Tuesday in exchange for Bucks fan Peter Robert Casey and future considerations.
Eliason had been a Jazz fan since 1993 and was part of the fan base during the team's only two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. He also spent time as a Phoenix Suns fan.
The Jazz had been shopping Eliason for the past month after the team's general manager, Kevin O'Conner, had announced the team's intention to rebuild the fan base for the future.
"We feel this is a move that will help us build for tomorrow," O'Conner said. "Obviously we are sad to see Kendell go, but ultimately it was time for both of us to move in different directions."
O'Conner said the Jazz will release Casey, who was included in the deal to make salaries match up.
"The bottom line is we didn't think we could afford to keep Kendell with us for what he was asking," O'Conner said. "He wanted his cake and he wanted to eat it too."
Eliason made no secret about his desire to remain with the Jazz. He said he will be leaving a lot of fond memories of being a Jazz fan behind.
"I have had some great times cheering for Utah and I would have loved to have been a Jazz fan for life," Eliason said. "I guess it wasn't meant to work out that way though."
The Bucks hope Eliason will provide them with the fan experience to reach the Eastern Conference playoffs this spring.
"I think I have the opportunity to be part of something special with Milwaukee," Eliason said. "Anytime you have guys like Andrew Bogut and Richard Jefferson on a team there is going to be a reason for me to cheer."
