MILWAUKEE — The Houston Rockets are positioning themselves to make a big move.

The Milwaukee Bucks acquired veteran center Samuel Dalembert from the Rockets in a trade Wednesday. The Bucks said they got Dalembert, the 14th overall pick in Thursday's draft, a future second-round pick and cash considerations from Houston in exchange for forwards Jon Brockman and Jon Leuer, guard Shaun Livingston and the 12th pick.

Brockman, a former Huskies star from Snohomish, has been a reserve during his three seasons in the NBA.

Dalembert has career averages of 8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots. Center is a major need for the Bucks, who traded away Andrew Bogut last season and never found a way to replace him.

Houston, meanwhile, is apparently positioning itself for a blockbuster move after dealing Chase Budinger to Minnesota for the 18th pick on Tuesday. The Rockets now have the No. 12, 16 and 18 picks in Thursday's draft, but the team may make more moves as they put together a package to land a superstar big man — possibly Orlando's Dwight Howard or Atlanta's Josh Smith.

Howard, a six-time All-Star center, asked to be traded by the Magic during the season.

The Rockets went 34-32 last year, missing the playoffs for the third straight season. They've lacked a strong inside presence since former top overall pick Yao Ming started running into injury issues and retired last summer.

Howard has been named the league's top defensive player three times and averaged a career-high 14.5 rebounds last season. He also publicly expressed frustration with coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith, both of whom are now gone.

Bird steps down

INDIANAPOLIS — Larry Bird is calling it quits with the Indiana Pacers.

Bird, perhaps the most respected and beloved basketball figure in a state obsessed with the sport, will leave his job as the Pacers' president of basketball operations at the end of August. He spent four years building the team into an Eastern Conference contender and was this season's NBA executive of the year, but is instead moving on after saying just a month ago that he was willing to stay.

Bird said health issues were among the reasons for his departure. He said he may need shoulder surgery and cited longstanding issues with his back.

"I just think it's time," he said.

Bird said he plans to take a year off and get healthy before he evaluates his situation.

Note

• Pat Cummings, who played with five NBA teams over a 12-year career, was found dead in a New York apartment, according to police. He was 55.