The Milwaukee Bucks will add veteran guard Erick Strickland and power forward Brian Skinner to their roster when the National Basketball Association free-agent signing period opens today.

Strickland, reached by telephone Tuesday night in Atlanta, confirmed that he would be joining the Bucks and signing a two-year contract. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Strickland, who spent last season with the Indiana Pacers, will play the point guard position with the Bucks and help tutor first-round draft choice T.J. Ford.

"I'm going to give them a veteran presence and teach him (Ford) how to be a tenacious player on an NBA court," said Strickland, a seven-year pro. "I can play multiple positions, but right now I'm a point guard. That's my primary position."

Strickland averaged 6.5 points and 2.9 assists per game last season with Indiana, often in a backup role to starting point guard Jamaal Tinsley. Strickland's deal with the Bucks is expected to be for $3.1 million over two years, according to published reports.

Skinner, a five-year pro, played last year with Philadelphia, averaging 6.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. His contract is reported to be for $5 million over three years.