NBA sources confirmed today, the Nuggets are close to finalizing a trade that would send swingman Ruben Patterson to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for forward Joe Smith.

Both players will make approximately $6.8 million in the final year of their contracts.

The teams submitted the trade to the NBA office on Thursday afternoon and are awaiting league approval, which is expected to arrive by Friday.

With the arrival of Smith, the Nuggets are now likely to end their run at Keith Van Horn.