“Steve is a true point guard who we think will really help our club,” said Warkentien. “He’s an outstanding shooter and a solid floor leader. The toughest part of trades is giving up players for whom you have great fondness. Earl and Julius have been great pros for us and we wish them the best of luck.”

Blake, 6-3, 172, has averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.5 apg in 33 games for the Bucks this season. The fourth-year pro has averaged 6.0 ppg and 3.0 apg in 220 career games with Milwaukee, Portland and Washington, while shooting .377 (206-547) from three-point range. Blake had his best all-around game of the season against the Nuggets on Jan. 8, scoring 11 points while tying season highs with seven assists and five rebounds. He enjoyed his best season a year ago with Portland, playing in 68 games (57 starts) and averaging career highs of 8.2 ppg and 4.5 apg. Blake was originally selected in the second round (38th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Wizards.

Boykins departs after three-plus seasons in Denver. He has averaged 15.2 ppg and 4.3 apg in 31 contests this season. After signing as a free agent on Aug. 18, 2003, he appeared in 255 games with the Nuggets, averaging 12.1 ppg and 4.0 apg. He leaves as the second-most accurate free-throw shooter in team history (.899/692-770).

Hodge was selected by the Nuggets with the 20th pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. He has appeared in four games this season, averaging 1.5 ppg and 2.5 apg. He saw action in 14 games as a rookie last year, averaging 0.9 ppg.