Fox Sports Wisconsin: Bucks' No. 12 pick is far from decided
Ryan Kartje reports that the Bucks know that they want to get bigger--but not at the cost of passing over better players in the draft. John Hammond addressed the media after Monday's workout featuring Baylor freshman small forward Quincy Miller (6'10" in shoes, 7'1.25" wingspan, DX #19), touching on the much-talked-about suspicion that the Bucks will be drafting a big man with their lottery selection (see Jim Paschke's video feature for more).
"I think right now there's the assumption that we're kind of looking into basically a narrow-mindset that we have to go big," Hammond said. "And there's a need there. Obviously, that is going to be a discussion; it's going to be somewhat of a priority for us. But at the end of the day . . . the most important thing is that you're drafting talent. At the end of the day, when we look at 12, it's going to be, who is the best player on the board? We're not going to just be narrow and say we have to go to a certain position."
Just as importantly, Hammond moved to quash the notion that the Bucks would pass on drafting players who hadn't worked out for them, saying that a failure to work out in Milwaukee would "absolutely not" rule them out of being drafted. That assertion is a big but eminently reasonable shift from Jeff Weltman's stance a year ago, with potentially major ramifications on the Bucks' options at 12. While I would guess that the Bucks would have some inclination to draft a player who also expressed interest in Milwaukee, this would assure that players like Jeremy Lamb, Terrence Ross and Austin Rivers will be in the discussion despite skipping out on Bucks workouts for assorted reasons. It could also be irrelevant for Ross and Lamb, as the Bucks were still holding out hope of bringing both in for a session on Tuesday or possibly Wednesday.
JS: Draft trade unlikely for Bucks
Charles Gardner reports that Hammond is not looking to make yet another big draft day deal.
"We have done this over the last couple years. We've made a major trade at the draft," Hammond said. "And to be honest with you, we're hoping not to do something like that."I remember saying (last year), 'We're doing too much of this.' Whatever we can do to improve our team we're going to do. But we've got some pieces we think we can move forward with. We like our team.
"We like Brandon (Jennings) at 1; we like Monta (Ellis) at 2. We like Luc Mbah a Moute. We like Tobias Harris; we like Jon Leuer. We like Drew Gooden; we like Ekpe (Udoh). We like Larry Sanders.
"They're young players; they're good players. They have upside. I hope something like that doesn't happen.
"Once again, it comes back to what is the right thing to do for this organization. If that's the case, we would do it (a trade). But I don't foresee that happening."
Hammond has been pounding this theme since the end of the season, so nothing new in that sense. But will the Bucks find an offer that's too good to refuse on Thursday?
Woelfel: Bucks looking to move up in draft
While Hammond is managing expectations by suggesting something big won't go down, Gery Woelfel writes that the Bucks' standing pat won't be for a lack of effort.
Some NBA officials contend the Bucks, in desperate need a center and legit power forward, especially if Ersan Ilyasova bolts in free agency, would likely look at two players: Connecticut center Andre Drummond and North Carolina power forward John Henson.
The idea of trading up for Drummond has been hanging out there for a while, though it's becoming more and more attainable following a lackluster series of workouts with top-six teams. A number of mocks now have the 18-year-old slpping outside the top six, going either seventh to Golden State or ninth to Detroit.
SI.com: Bobcats' No. 2 pick, risers, sliders, more NBA draft questions
In discussing Terrence Jones' draft stock, Sam Amick writes that the former Kentucky star still has a chance of going #12.
I'm told he's seriously in the mix for Milwaukee at No. 12, along with North Carolina power forward John Henson (if Detroit doesn't grab Henson at No. 9).
I'd be surprised if Jones ends up in Milwaukee, though you know my feelings on the matter at this point (see down below for further evidence). Also note that in the same article Amick writes that Memphis swingman Will Barton could be a Bucks' target if they trade down.
JS: Park East strip touted for new Bucks arena
It may not be anything particular tangible, but the new arena talk continues, with the focus now on possible locations for a Bradley Center replacement.
There hasn't yet been a study released of how much a new arena would cost. But, based on other arenas built in recent years for pro basketball and hockey teams, the rough range could be between $350 million and $500 million, said Marc Marotta, Bradley Center board chairman.Along with money from Kohl and other private sources, a new arena would need public funding, Marotta said. Timothy Sheehy, president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, a year ago suggested extending the Miller Park sales tax to cover those costs, which drew opposition from Abele and Gov. Scott Walker.
Podcast: Part II of Bucks Draft Strategy
Part II of Steve and Frank discussing the latest NBA draft talk and what it might mean for the Bucks as a whole. Note: the positional revolution will not be televised.
Odds & End
- The SB Nation crew took time out for a little mock drafting fun, and on behalf of the Bucks I made Terrence Jones the 12th overall pick. YOU'RE WELCOME.
- The good folks at Warriors.com were also nice enough to have me represent the Bucks in the media mock draft they're having, and I predictably chose...yep, Terrence Jones.
- Alex looks at each of the current Bucks' draft origins.
- DraftExpress and Chad Ford have both updated their mocks a number of times in the past 24 hours, with Ford settling on Meyers Leonard after having Terrence Ross slotted into the Bucks' position earlier in the day. Ford has Henson going ninth to Detroit after the former UNC defensive wiz reportedly outplayed Leonard, the Joneses, and Jared Sullinger in a workout for the Pistons on Monday.
- Meanwhile, on Sunday night DX surprisingly had the Bucks taking Dion Waiters--he of the much-talked-about top ten promise--before reverting back to old standby Tyler Zeller 24 hours later. Unlike Ford, DX has Andre Drummond slipping to the Pistons, leaving the Bucks to choose from Zeller and Leonard.
- The Bucks currently have 12 players under contract, excluding free agents Ersan Ilyasova, Carlos Delfino and Kwame Brown and both of their 2012 draft picks. In other words: something's gotta give. While there's been loose talk of the Bucks going after another first round pick, I have a hard time seeing the Bucks bringing in three rookies in 12/13, and even two might be a stretch considering all the young blood fighting for playing time. The solution? Trade one of the picks, pick a guy who won't come over to the NBA right away (ie a Euro like Tomas Satoransky), or swing a deal that sends out one more roster spot than it brings back.
- Hardwood Paroxysm delivers another interesting look at the the draft's resident engima, Perry Jones III.
- Speaking of Delfino, Jake McCormick writes that Carlitos appears ready to risk further injury by coming back early from offseason groin surgery to represent Argentina at the London Olympics.