The instant Gary Payton decided to leave for Los Angeles, the mission was clear for Milwaukee Bucks general manager Larry Harris.

Find a veteran point guard.

Harris said on Wednesday that he had accomplished that goal, reaching agreement on a two-year contract with free-agent guard Erick Strickland. The 29-year-old Strickland, who has played both guard positions during his seven-year National Basketball Association career, is expected to serve as a valuable tutor for the Bucks' first-round draft pick, point guard T.J. Ford.

"We see him as a point guard," Harris said of the 6-foot-3 Strickland, who played in 77 games with Boston two years ago and in 71 games with Indiana last year.

"It's kind of hard to throw T.J. to the wolves all by himself. One thing we were looking for in free agency was to add some stability with a veteran, someone who can be a mentor, someone who can help him come along without putting too much pressure on a rookie."

The NBA's free-agent signing period opened at midnight Wednesday. The Bucks also are close to an agreement with 6-9 forward Brian Skinner, who played last season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

"We are talking with Brian and hope to have something wrapped up in a couple days," Harris said. "I think he (Skinner) brings a lot of things that Erick brings - toughness, rebounding, defense."