Trades in the National Basketball Association are like a football game, Milwaukee coach George Karl says, with teams meeting at the 50-yard line and driving toward the end zone where deals are completed.

From Karl's perspective as coach, though, he doesn't want to be bothered with a detailed play-by-play of the scoring drive.

"I don't want to hear about a trade until we've reached the 10-yard-line," he said.

Karl, though, did offer a judgment on where the Bucks were in relation to making a deal before the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline.

"I don't think we're even on the football field yet," he said.

The Bucks readily admit they need a backup point guard and their slapstick 21-turnover performance in a home loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday was further evidence of that fact. Even so, it appeared Tuesday that the Bucks had nothing worth huddling about as the deadline drew ever closer.

Ideally, the Bucks would like to obtain a backup point guard with playoff experience, a veteran who is in the final season of his contract. That way, he would not be on the books next season when the luxury tax is expected to kick in. One player who fits that description nicely is 13-year veteran Mookie Blaylock, who is unhappy with the Golden State Warriors.