RU: Alexander headed to D-League

Scott Schroeder at Ridiculous Upside reports that Joe Alexander will be joining the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Bucks' D-League affiliate. I'm guessing the party line will be that this gives Joe a chance to work back into shape and get major minutes on the court as he comes back from his hamstring injury.

But mostly it just seems another step in Alexander's exile from Milwaukee. This could certainly be a good thing for the development of his game, and you could make a good case he should have spent some time in the D-League a year ago. But with his 10/11 option already declined and the Bucks now unable to watch him on a daily basis, the "developing him for the future" argument seems a bit hollow.

over 2 years ago Frank Madden 8 comments 0 recs |

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Just wow...

Failing on this pick has set the Bucks hopes of being a contender back a year. It is too bad Alexander didn’t atleast become a rotation player. The Bucks really did some work to screw the 8th pick up that year in what is turning out to be a deep draft.

Look at players picked 9-28: DJ Augustin, Brook Lopez, Jeryd Bayless, Jason Thompson, Brandon Rush, Anthony Randolph, Robin Lopez, Mareese Speights, Roy Hibbert, Javale McGee, JJ Hicksons, Alex Ajinca, Ryan Andersen, Courtney Lee, Kosta Koufus, Serge Ibaka, Nicholas Batum, George Hill, Darrel Arthur, and Donte Greene.

Almost all of those guys are solid rotation players and some with considerable upside. The Bucks really could have randomly selected any player available and done much better. Expecially considering these notable 2nd rounders were taken in that draft: Mario Chalmers, Chris Douglas Roberts, Goran Dragic, and Darnell Jackson.

Hammond really needs to reverse the Bucks trend of dreadful drafting. Also, don’t respond with well they got Mbah a Moute, Redd, Meeks, etc., etc. in the 2nd round because that is not where playoff caliber teams are made.

by Superelkman on Jan 20, 2010 2:27 PM CST reply actions

What’s really amazing is not simply that the Bucks messed up the pick, but how quickly they’ve cut bait.

Assuming Alexander never becomes a useful NBA player they deserve some residual credit for admitting their mistake and moving on—it’s much easier to keep picking up options and delay the admission. Afterall, Alexander was bad but not THAT bad as a rookie. But you’re absolutely right about last year’s draft—there were an absolute ton of guys they’d have been thrilled to end up with. Sucks for us…

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Jan 20, 2010 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

Think they will attempt to resign him to a cheaper contract than the 3rd and 4th years of his option or just let him walk all together. That would be a very shrewd move if they would get him to resign at a cheap price after not picking up his options.

by Superelkman on Jan 20, 2010 3:51 PM CST reply actions

If you were Joe...

…would you have any interest in sticking around? Sure, the Bucks don’t have any entrenched starters at the 3/4, but at the same time his experience here has been such a trainwreck that you’d think he would be thrilled to start over someplace else.

www.BrewHoop.com

by Frank Madden on Jan 20, 2010 10:17 PM CST up reply actions

Ehh...

Probably not. But… I could also see(not very likely but possible) Joe wanting to prove himself to the people that he disapointed.

by Superelkman on Jan 21, 2010 9:31 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe we can ship him out since he is technically an expiring worth about 2 million and get something. Probably not though since teams know he is a FA next year and hasn’t done anything to this point.

by Superelkman on Jan 21, 2010 9:32 AM CST reply actions

Maybe they're just trying to be nice

He’s not going to play in Milwaukee and they have to pay him whether or not they release him (I think?). Would anyone pick him up if he was cut? This way he at least gets to show he’s healthy enough to play.

In that sense, the party line you mention is not untrue. It just doesn’t mean anything for the Bucks.

by TheJay on Jan 21, 2010 8:39 PM CST reply actions

I could see some teams having some interest in signing him to a D-League contract. The Bucks could do the same. If they decline his option, there is probably some amount of money the Bucks would have to pay him. Usually contracts have that. You decline an option and pay 2 million to let a guy walk. I would rather see the Bucks trade Alexander for some bench player, or cash.

by Troy J. on Jan 25, 2010 10:39 AM CST reply actions