Jun. 29, 2009 2:57 p.m.
Bucks general manager John Hammond confirmed Monday that Charlie Villanueva would not receive a $4.6 million qualifying offer by the Tuesday deadline.
The Bucks' decision means Villanueva will be an unrestricted free agent, able to sign with any NBA team beginning July 8. Teams may begin negotiating with free agents on Wednesday.
Hammond said the team has made qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ramon Sessions and Ersan Ilyasova. That allows the Bucks to match any offers made to them by other NBA clubs.
The Bucks were part of a three-team trade last week that helped the team's precarious luxury tax situation, as Richard Jefferson was sent to San Antonio in return for expiring contracts. Decisions are still to be made regarding former Spurs players Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas, who were acquired in the deal along with 6-9 forward Amir Johnson, who came from Detroit.
After lengthy discussions involving the front office and coaching staff, it was determined not to send Villanueva a qualifying offer. The decision effectively ends Villanueva's career with the Bucks.
"Well, I would like to thank my Milwaukee fans for three great years, and Senator Kohl, but my journey in Milwaukee has come to an end," Villanueva posted on his Twitter account, CV31, on Monday afternoon.
The 6-foot-11 Villanueva played three seasons in Milwaukee after being acquired in a June 2006 trade with Toronto that sent point guard T.J. Ford to the Raptors.
Villanueva suffered an injury-plagued first season with the Bucks, appearing in just 39 games and starting 17, while averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. He missed 43 games due to injury, including 30 with right elbow tendinitis.
His second year in Milwaukee proved equally frustrating, this time due to the Bucks' high-profile acquisition of rookie forward Yi Jianlian. Villanueva came off the bench at the start of the year and never really adjusted to that role, and eventually he became a starter after injuries and fatigue slowed down Yi's progress.
Villanueva averaged 11.7 points while appearing in 76 games, including 31 starts.
Under coach Scott Skiles last season, Villanueva returned to a regular role, appearing in 78 games and making 47 starts. He averaged career highs in points at 16.7, rebounds at 6.7 and assists at 1.8
Villanueva ranked third on the team in scoring, second in rebounds and second in three-pointers made
Toronto picked Villanueva with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 draft, and he averaged 13.0 points as a rookie.
Sessions has played the past two seasons for the Bucks after being chosen 56th overall in the 2007 draft. He averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists last season and appeared in 79 games (39 starts). He scored a career-high 44 points against Detroit on Feb. 7.
Ilyasova, a 2005 second-round pick of the Bucks, has played the past two seasons for Regal FC Barcelona in Spain.