Gadzuric to Return to Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are spending the big bucks this summer.

Dan Gadzuric’s agent said the 6-foot-11 center will sign a six-year, $36-million contract to stay with the Bucks once the league-wide moratorium on player movement ends later this month.

That means the Bucks have committed some $200 million in player contracts since July 2.

“We think Milwaukee’s putting forth a winning team as evidenced by the spending,” Gadzuric’s agent, Bob Myers, said Tuesday. “A lot of teams talk about going in that direction, but Milwaukee’s putting their money where their mouth is.”

The Bucks confirmed that they planned to sign Gadzuric, a former UCLA standout.

After signing No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Bogut to a $26-million deal on July 2, the Bucks’ spending spree began in earnest when they agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent Michael Redd for between $90 million and $96 million, pending final wording in the new collective bargaining agreement.

Then, they lured Clipper swingman Bobby Simmons, the league’s most improved player last season, for $47 million over five years.

General Manager Larry Harris, who also traded for Cleveland forward Jiri Welsch on draft day, isn’t done. He has said he intends to re-sign restricted free agent Zaza Pachulia.

Gadzuric averaged 7.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 22 minutes for the Bucks last season.

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The Atlanta Hawks signed No. 2 overall draft pick Marvin Williams. The former North Carolina forward, Atlanta’s highest selection since picking first in 1975, is the last of the top 10 draft picks to sign.... Lingering soreness from an old knee injury will keep first-round pick Danny Granger from playing with the Indiana Pacers in the Minnesota summer league.

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Washington Wizard owner Abe Pollin, 81, had heart bypass surgery last week and is recovering at a Cleveland hospital, a team spokesman said.

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Las Vegas tourism officials have approved a $4.5-million bid to play host to the NBA All-Star game in 2007, hoping to persuade the league to make the city the first without a team to hold the event.