The Bucks are close to finalizing a deal with free agent guard Gary Neal, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com. (via Twitter). Sources tell Stein that Milwaukee took the lead after Neal's agent, David Bauman, broke off discussions with the Hawks.
The Bucks and Hawks were the leading pursuers of Neal after the Spurs withdrew their qualifying offer, which made Neal an unrestricted free agent. A deal is now expected to be completed today between Neal and Milwaukee.
Neal's one-year qualifying offer was worth about $1.12MM and would have allowed the Spurs to match any bids for him. The 28-year-old has posted nearly identical numbers in his three seasons in San Antonio, with his averages ranging from 9.5 to 9.9 PPG in 21.1 to 21.8 MPG. However, after posting a 41.9% three-point rate in each of his first two years, that mark fell to 35.5% in 2012/13.