The Milwaukee Bucks dealt center Roy Hibbert to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday for a second-round pick ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the draft pick Milwaukee will receive in return is heavily protected. The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the trade.

The Bucks acquired Hibbert and Spencer Hawes from the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 2 in exchange for Miles Plumlee.

Hibbert never appeared in a game for Milwaukee, but he will join a Nuggets team that holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference by 1.5 games over the Sacramento Kings.

In 42 games for the Hornets this season, the 30-year-old veteran is averaging 5.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest.

He spent the first seven years of his career with the Indiana Pacers, but has struggled to regain his previous form in stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Hornets and Bucks since then.

The former Georgetown standout was twice named an NBA All-Star as a member of the Pacers, and he averaged 11.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game during his time with the team.

Denver recently made a center-for-center swap when it sent Jusuf Nurkic to the Portland Trail Blazers for Mason Plumlee.

Hibbert provides additional depth behind Nikola Jokic and Plumlee, as well as 54 career games of playoff experience, which could prove valuable if the Nuggets play postseason basketball this season.

The 7'2" big man is set to hit free agency during the offseason.