"Defense is never optional for coach Scott Skiles and the Milwaukee Bucks.

So it's no surprise the Bucks did what it took to hang on to one of their elite defensive players.

According to league sources, Milwaukee matched a four-year, $18.7 million offer by the Denver Nuggets on Saturday and retained restricted free agent Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

The 6-foot-8 forward and former UCLA player is considered a valuable member of the Bucks' rotation and has started 166 games over the past three seasons.

Denver made its offer Saturday morning to Mbah a Moute, who was selected 37th overall by the Bucks in the 2008 draft.

The Bucks had a three-day period to match but made the decision in a matter of hours."