The Milwaukee Bucks cleared about $3 million in salary space to sign free-agent forward Anthony Mason late Monday night by trading forward Scott Williams to the Denver Nuggets in a three-way deal with Houston.

Though the Bucks now have more financial flexibility and are expected to sign Mason within the next several days, general manager Ernie Grunfeld said no deal had been reached with the all-star, who is expected to provide an inside presence to the perimeter-heavy team with aspirations of a National Basketball Association championship.

"We're talking and will continue to talk," Grunfeld said from his St. Francis office late Monday night. "We're hopeful something can be worked out."

Don Cronson, Mason's New York-based agent, said Monday night that his client remained adamant about receiving a four-year, $20.88 million contract. The Bucks, concerned that Mason will be 35 years old in December, have balked at the four-year demand. Grunfeld declined to say whether the Bucks would now be more agreeable to Mason's terms.

"Anthony wants to be there," Cronson said. "It's his No. 1 choice. The organization wants him. Hopefully we're moving in the right direction now. But our terms are our terms. That hasn't changed and it won't change."