Brew Hoop - Free Agency 2013: Your guide to the Milwaukee Bucks' free agent news, rumors and cap spaceMilwaukee Bucks News and Analysis Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47773/brewhoop_fave.png2013-08-08T07:44:00-05:00http://www.brewhoop.com/rss/stream/42441952013-08-08T07:44:00-05:002013-08-08T07:44:00-05:00Bucks, Larry Sanders closing in on extension
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<figcaption>Yeah! Extensions! High-fives! | Mike McGinnis</figcaption>
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<p>The Bucks are choosing to not waste any time, as reports say that they are nearing an extension with shot-blocking extraordinaire Larry Sanders.</p> <p>Larry Sanders and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> are closing in on a contract extension, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9549502/larry-sanders-milwaukee-bucks-final-stages-contract-extension-sources-say-nba" target="_blank">according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein</a>. The Bucks and Sanders have until October 31 to reach an agreement, but it appears that the team <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/8/8/4601208/larry-sanders-contract-extension-bucks">doesn't want to push the deadline to ink its big man</a>, and probable face of the franchise, to an extension.</p>
<p>After two seasons of inconsistent play and minutes, Sanders became a cult hero in Milwaukee last year, averaging 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.8 (!) blocks in under 30 minutes a game last season. He even impressed so far as to garner an invite to the Team USA Mini-Camp in Vegas this past July. That, of course, ended prematurely when Sanders came down on <span>Chandler Parsons's</span> foot and sprained his left ankle.</p>
<p>While Sanders and the Bucks have until Halloween to come to terms on an extension, Stein's sources have said that the deal is already in its final stages. Potential terms of the deal are not being disclosed at the moment, but Stein surmises that it will be somewhere in excess of $10 million annually. Without an extension, Sanders would become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2014. For a positional reference point, Sanders' deal will likely end up somewhere in the neighborhood of <span>Serge Ibaka</span>, Javale McGee, and Deandre Jordan, each of whom signed new four-year deals averaging between $11 and $12 million annually. The incentive for signing Sanders now is to avoid seeing another team make him a huge offer next summer, a scenario the Pacers found themselves in with Roy Hibbert a year ago. Portland was prepared to make HIbbert a max offer sheet last July before the Pacers ponied up $58 million over four years to keep him in Indiana. Jordan was in a similar boat, though he actually signed his $43 million offer sheet with the Warriors before the Clippers eventually matched in December 2011.</p>
<p>Sanders finished <a href="http://www.nba.com/2013/news/04/23/pacers-george-kia-most-improved-player/index.html" target="_blank">third in Most Improved Player voting</a> and seventh in Defensive Player of Year voting, though he was the second best shot-blocker in the league <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HX0Ezb-OPE" target="_blank">while holding opponents to the lowest field-goal percentage around the basket</a>. Despite these accolades, Sanders was left off any first or second All-Defensive teams (read: he's pretty darn valuable, even if he's not properly decorated for it).</p>
<p>Sanders is one of the five remaining carryovers from last year's Bucks squad, and he's already taking an active role in becoming a leader on this overhauled roster as the face of the "new" Bucks. <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/29/4566632/larry-sanders-milwaukee-bucks-john-hammond" target="_blank"> He also says really cool things about wanting to stay in Milwaukee that make you feel all warm and fuzzy and never want to let him go.</a></p>
<p>Time will tell what the final details of the extension will be and whether Larry can meet those expectations, but for now it's nice to see the Bucks get proactive and lock down what they see is a vital building block to something better than the past product.</p>
<p>[In case you forgot what <span>Larry Sanders</span> playing basketball looked like, here's a little morsel for you]</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1CYsRvMI88M?rel=0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h4>More from Brew Hoop:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/8/6/4595758/nba-schedule-2013-14-milwaukee-bucks-open-on-the-road-open-their-home">NBA Schedule 2013/14: Milwaukee Bucks open on the road, open their home schedule on a Saturday and shockingly play 82 games in all</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/8/6/4594408/bucks-key-in-on-future-at-brandon-knight-khris-middleton-press">Bucks key in on future at Brandon Knight, Khris Middleton press conference</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/8/5/4592156/giannis-and-larry-hit-the-practice-court-pistons-think-jennings-is">Giannis and Larry hit the practice court, Pistons think Jennings is worth the risk</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/8/2/4582926/slava-kravstov-likely-to-be-released-by-bucks-a-tearful-farwell">Slava Kravstov likely to be released by Bucks: A tearful farwell</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/8/2/4573252/brandon-jennings-trade-brandon-knight-bucks-cap-space-free-agency">Caponomics | Brandon Jennings trade completes reset of Bucks backcourt</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/8/8/4601026/larry-sanders-extension-bucksInactiveUser10831872013-07-30T20:56:55-05:002013-07-30T20:56:55-05:00The other parts of the Bucks-Pistons trade
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<p>Small forward Khris Middleton and center Viacheslav Kravstov were also part of the package with Brandon Knight that got shipped to Milwaukee for Brandon Jennings.</p> <p>Believe it or not, there were players not named Brandon involved in this trade.</p>
<p>The deal also included household names such as Viachelsav Kravstov and <span>Khris Middleton</span>. Oh, they're not? Well, that's what we're here for, I guess.</p>
<h4>VIACHESLAV KRAVTSOV</h4>
<p>Checking in at 6 foot 11 and 254 lbs., Viacheslav (more commonly referred to as 'Slava') is a big Ukranian body that could serve as a nice little insurance policy, should <span>John Henson</span> or <span>Larry Sanders</span> go down with a long-term injury. This may sound a little redundant, as the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> j<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/26/4560218/bucks-sign-serbian-center-miroslav-raduljica" target="_blank">ust signed a similar type of player</a> in <span>Miroslav Raduljica</span>.</p>
<p>What Kravstov and Raduljica share in spell check nightmares, they do not share in NBA experience. Kravtsvov actually has logged 25 games already, sporting averages of 3.1 points, and 1.8 rebounds in nine minutes a contest. As of now, he just seems like a body that can exhaust a few fouls, but at only 25 years old, there may be some room for development. Nevertheless, don't expect anything more than a slightly more useful Joel Przybilla-esque role for Kravtsov.</p>
<h4>KHRIS MIDDLETON</h4>
<p>Middleton was drafted 39th overall in the 2012 Draft out of Texas A&M, and appeared ready to snag some minutes a backup wing position with Detroit before the trade. Now, he may get a slightly larger role.</p>
<p><span>Carlos Delfino</span> is cool and all, but he's probably not your ideal choice for heavy minutes at the small forward spot. <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> is simply not ready to contribute significantly, so...enter Middleton, right?</p>
<p>A 6'7" forward with a 6'10.75" wingspan, the 21-year-old <i>might</i> have the potential to become a rather nice 3-and-D type, with a little more versatility on offense. MIddleton developed a rep as a guy who could get his own shot while Texas A&M, which he should be able to get off over most small forwards. The question is whether he can find reliability in his stroke from distance, which tailed off during an injury-plagued junior season in 11/12. Take a look for yourself.</p>
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<p>As will be customary for this trade, the question of "Why is Detroit willing to part ways with them?" is important. This applies more to <span>Brandon Knight</span> than it does to Kravtsov or Middleton, but it still matters. Neither of these complementary parts is worth holding onto at the expense of getting a starter, but that certainly doesn't mean they are incapable of contributing.</p>
<p>That being said, this doesn't mean that the Bucks are set at this position. Both Delfino and Middleton are best served as backups to someone more polished, but at least this helps put some sand in the divot left by the departure of Mike <strike>Funleavy</strike> Dunleavy.</p>
<h4>More from Brew Hoop:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/30/4573102/the-first-of-many-brandon-knight-scouting-reports">The First Of Many Brandon Knight Scouting Reports</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/30/4572746/report-bucks-and-pistons-nearing-sign-and-trade-deal-for-brandon">Report: Pistons nearing sign-and-trade deal for Brandon Jennings; Brandon Knight heading to Milwaukee</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/29/4566632/larry-sanders-milwaukee-bucks-john-hammond">Larry Sanders is saying the right things about the Bucks and John Hammond's plan</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/27/4562840/free-agency-2013-bucks-closing-in-on-deal-with-gary-neal">Free Agency 2013: Bucks closing in on deal with Gary Neal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/26/4560218/bucks-sign-serbian-center-miroslav-raduljica">Bucks sign Serbian center Miroslav Raduljica</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/30/4573324/examining-the-other-parts-of-the-bucks-pistons-tradeInactiveUser10831872013-07-30T18:51:31-05:002013-07-30T18:51:31-05:00The First Of Many Brandon Knight Scouting Reports
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<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Brandon Knight is the clear centerpiece of the Milwaukee Bucks' four player swap with the Detroit Pistons. There will be a lot written about Knight's game over the next few months, so start your journey with our brief primer on the 21-year-old point guard.</p> <p>A Brandon by any other name is a rose. Or, at the very least, thorns that haven't pricked us yet.</p>
<p>Good, bad, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj1--j4fi4U" target="_blank"></a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj1--j4fi4U">ugly, or </a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj1--j4fi4U" target="_blank">unlucky</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--pistons-to-acquire-brandon-jennings-in-sign-and-trade-deal-211830240.html">Brandon Knight is the new starting point guard for your Milwaukee Bucks</a>. Early fan sentiments have understandably swung the PR machine in Mr. Knight's favor, but how much of that is attributable to <span>Brandon Jennings</span> fatigue?</p>
<p>Rather, here's a more pertinent question: Is <span>Brandon Knight</span> a better short and long-term investment than Brandon Jennings? The answer, at least at this point, is ambiguous.</p>
<p>Knight does not have Jennings' sporadically exciting offensive game, but defense and overall upside are enough to justify choosing the former over the latter.</p>
<p>Last season, according to Synergy Sports, Knight registered fewer points-per-possession than Jennings (.83 PPP vs. .88 PPP), and struggled mightily as a pick and roll ball handler (.69 PPP, 20.6% TO) despite starting most of his possessions in those sets. The rest of his production was mostly relegated to transition opportunities (.94 PPP) and spot-ups (.99 PPP), neither of which can be called consistently reliable.</p>
<p>Career-wise, Knight doesn't stack up to Jennings in the areas of PER, turnover rate, or assist rate, all of which are barometers for measuring a point guard's true impact on the game. Knight's penetration is not much to brag about either, as he shot 51.4% FG at the rim and 31% FG between 5 - 9 feet last season.</p>
<p>The New Brandon does have a slightly higher career True Shooting Percentage (51.1% vs. 49.8%), mostly due to his strongest offensive attribute.</p>
<p>Knight's immediate impact will come as a floor spacer and deep shooter. A career 37.6% bomber from beyond the arc (Jennings' is 35.4%), Knight joins <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span> (44.4% 3FG), OJ Mayo (40.7% 3FG), <span>Carlos Delfino</span> (37.5% 3FG), <span>Gary Neal</span> (35.5% 3FG), and <span>Luke Ridnour</span> (31.1% 3FG) in the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a>' stable of snipers.</p>
<p>Some of the above weaknesses can be attributed to youth (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/30/4572746/report-bucks-and-pistons-nearing-sign-and-trade-deal-for-brandon">Read Zach Lowe's breakdown at the bottom of Frank's earlier write up</a>), but it's fair to assume the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Pistons</a> knew what they were giving away on the offensive end of the floor.</p>
<p>Defensively, Knight's size (6'3", 189 lbs) should make you feel confident in his ability to fight through screens and disrupt an offense's rhythm. The Pistons were 7 pts/100 possessions better with him on the court last year, and his current backcourt mates (Sorry, Juice) undoubtedly create added pressure on Knight to stay on guard at all times.</p>
<p>Of course, there are some off-court metrics that add value to this deal for the Bucks. Knight is cheaper, younger (21-year-old), and coming to a team coached by a man that has already sculpted a solid point guard out of oft-unforgiving NBA clay.</p>
<p>Essentially, the Bucks hit a middle-of-the-game reset button at the point guard position. But given everything we've seen and experienced with Brandon Jennings at the helm, it feels like neither side was interested in reconciliation, and a move had to be made sooner or later. Whether it was right or wrong remains to be seen.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just remember how you're feeling right now if history proves unkind to this trade.</p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/30/4573102/the-first-of-many-brandon-knight-scouting-reportsJacob McCormick2013-07-30T16:40:19-05:002013-07-30T16:40:19-05:00Bucks ship Jennings to Detroit for Knight
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<p>After weeks of negotiations between the Bucks and their mercurial restricted free agent point guard went nowhere, the Bucks and Pistons are reportedly close to a deal that would send Brandon Jennings to Detroit in a sign-and-trade that will bring Brandon Knight to Milwaukee.</p> <p>Here it is folks!</p>
<p>Adrian Wojnarowski (who else?) is reporting that <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--pistons-to-acquire-brandon-jennings-in-sign-and-trade-deal-211830240.html" target="_blank">mercurial point guard Brandon Jennings is close to getting his desired escape from Milwaukee</a>--albeit at a greatly reduced price from the $12 million annual salary he was reportedly seeking weeks ago. Woj writes that Jennings' deal will be in the three-year, $24 million neighborhood, while the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> will send 21-year-old guard <span>Brandon Knight</span> back to Milwaukee. Here's the Twitter blow-by-blow:</p>
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<p>Y! Sources: Detroit's finalizing a sign-and-trade with Milwaukee to acquire <span>Brandon Jennings</span> on a 3-year, $24M deal. <a href="http://t.co/gnBbwVVl26">http://t.co/gnBbwVVl26</a></p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/362322522252902400">July 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Brandon Jennings' deal with Detroit expected to be in three-year range in excess of $25 million. Rest of trade details still being sorted</p>
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/statuses/362320366959460352">July 30, 2013</a>
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<p>The Pistons will send Brandon Knight to the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> as part of the package for Jennings, league sources tell Y! Sports.</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/362324192684802049">July 30, 2013</a>
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<p>Detroit will also send center Slava Kravtsov and forward <span>Khris Middleton</span> to Bucks as part of sign-and-trade for Jennings, sources tell Y!</p>
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/statuses/362324873089003520">July 30, 2013</a>
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<p>The upside? Milwaukee avoided overpaying Jennings and salvaged <i>something</i> from a difficult situation by acquiring Knight, who will earn just $6.3 million combined over the next two seasons and still has the potential to develop into a solid two-way combo guard. The downside? The 23-year-old Jennings <i>could</i> still figure out how to be a really good basketball player, while Knight was unconvincing during his two-year audition in Detroit.</p>
<p>Thankfully, time is on the Bucks' side with Knight, as they effectively reset the clock on their point guard position by getting a player who is two years younger than Jennings and also has two more years before he hits restricted free agency. I'm not necessarily expecting Knight to become a star, but his size (6'3"), shooting ability (.380 and .367 from deep first two seasons) and work ethic mean that he <i>should</i> develop into a solid third guard at the very worst.</p>
<p>While Knight's inability to get to the rim or line kept his true shooting numbers at Jennings-levels the last two seasons (51.1%), he should at a minimum provide a huge boost defensively over the horror show we saw from Jennings the past two seasons. The Pistons were dramatically better defensively when he was on the court last season (7.7 pts/100 better) and his opponent numbers were also impressive. The bigger question is whether he can learn how to run an NBA offense, a topic that <a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9480183/josh-smith-future-detroit-pistons">Grantland's Zach Lowe pondered in detail in January of this year</a>. Be sure to check out the full article, but here's a sampler:</p>
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<p>Knight has a clear future as a solid NBA rotation piece. He has already established himself as an above-average 3-point shooter, he's fast, and he works his tail off on the practice court and watching film. But Detroit cannot have watched the last two seasons and concluded the franchise point guard is already on the roster.</p>
<p>Knight is usually a half-second late reading the floor, which is admittedly a very tough thing for a normal human being to do in real time. Pause any pick-and-roll at the moment Knight darts around the pick, and you'll see 10 men in coordinated motion - Knight's big man rolling into space, an opposing big man rotating along the back line to stop him, and everyone else adjusting in kind. There are openings in that moment. The big man rolling might come open, and if he doesn't, that means the defense has tilted more than usual in his direction and left another of Knight's teammates open someplace else. The same patterns unfold again and again, and the best point guards learn to anticipate openings ahead of time, or even to coax the defense into surrendering a specific hole.</p>
<p>Knight can't do that - yet. You can see his eyes and brain working to understand how the defense is scrambling, and when you can see a point guard think like that - when he shows his work - that's bad. Sometimes Knight will spot the right pass, only he'll spot it a half-second too late, when the defense has already started to recover into position for a steal or deflection.</p>
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https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/30/4572746/report-bucks-and-pistons-nearing-sign-and-trade-deal-for-brandonFrank Madden2013-07-27T10:57:42-05:002013-07-27T10:57:42-05:00Bucks close to signing Gary Neal
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<p>ESPN's Marc Stein reports that the Bucks are expected to sign the free-agent guard today.</p> <p><b>Update:</b> According to multiple sources, the Bucks have reached a two-year agreement with Neal. The exact value of the contract remains unclear.</p>
<p>According to a report from ESPN's Marc Stein, the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a> are <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/361115924058742784">close to an agreement</a> with former <a href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Antonio Spurs</a> guard <span>Gary Neal</span>. Neal entered the offseason as a restricted free agent for the Spurs, but <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/22858400/reports-spurs-to-withdraw-qualifying-offer-for-gary-neal">his qualifying offer was withdrawn</a> after the team signed <span>Marco Belinelli</span>. As an unrestricted free agent, Neal was <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ESPNSteinLine/status/361116569151090688">reportedly drawing interest</a> from the both the Bucks and the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>.</p>
<p>In three seasons with the Spurs, Neal averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting just under 40% from the three-point line. He was excellent from deep (41.9%) in his first two years before falling off a bit (35.5%) last season. Neal has a reputation as a gunner, a mold of player the Bucks are all two familiar with, but his generally solid accuracy from behind the arc has typically made up for a happy trigger-finger. He's also not going to play as big a role as <span>Brandon Jennings</span> or <span>Monta Ellis</span> ever did for the Bucks, so the possible damage should be capped.</p>
<p>Defensively, Neal brings some of the same concerns as those that plagued Ellis. He's got combo guard size, so it's hard to figure out exactly who to match him up on, and while he can lock in one-on-one and hold his own, he's prone to blatant lapses that get his team burned. All told, the Spurs were about 4 points/100 possessions better on defense with Neal riding the pine. Milwaukee is pretty familiar with handling this sort of player, and their Larry Sanders-anchored defense has already shown itself to be modestly up to the task, so it's a workable situation at the least. Still, it's going to require a lot of management from the coaching staff to keep the Bucks' bench from collapsing on that end.</p>
<p>Neal offers more depth off the bench to a mostly-filled backcourt (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/24/4551170/brandon-jennings-free-agency-larry-sanders-sprains-ankle-team-usa-john-henson-vegas">save for one particular spot</a>) that has a starting SG in place, a capable backup point guard, and a rookie combo guard looking to prove himself. As an instant-offense player for the second-unit, one could do much worse. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzcbxehvXeE">Neal's had his heroic moments</a>, but in general he's been consistently...well, exactly what you'd expect from a mid-summer acquisition by the Bucks.</p>
<p>Early reports didn't speculate on possible terms for the deal. The Bucks still have their room exception available, but that would limit Neal to a two-year deal beginning at around $2.6 million. If he wants more than that, the Bucks will have to eat into their cap space to ink him.</p>
<h4>More from Brew Hoop:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/26/4560218/bucks-sign-serbian-center-miroslav-raduljica">Bucks sign Serbian center Miroslav Raduljica</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/25/4558328/gustavo-ayon-waived-bucks-potential-cap-space-up-to-10-million">Gustavo Ayon waived, Bucks potential cap space up to $10 million</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/24/4551170/brandon-jennings-free-agency-larry-sanders-sprains-ankle-team-usa-john-henson-vegas">Bucks still interested in Brandon Jennings, Larry Sanders sprains ankle with Team USA, John Henson earns Vegas praise</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/23/4550394/larry-sanders-injures-ankle-at-team-usa-mini-camp">Larry Sanders injures ankle at Team USA mini camp</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/23/4546814/nba-free-agency-brandon-jennings">NBA Free Agency: Brandon Jennings still has value</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/27/4562840/free-agency-2013-bucks-closing-in-on-deal-with-gary-nealDan Sinclair2013-07-26T12:32:58-05:002013-07-26T12:32:58-05:00Bucks sign Serbian center Miroslav Raduljica
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<figcaption>Matthias Kern</figcaption>
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<p>Just a day after waiving Gustavo Ayon, the Milwaukee Bucks replaced him on the depth chart by signing free-agent center Miroslav Raduljica.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a><a href="https://twitter.com/BucksPR/status/360805752815882241" target="_blank"> today announced the signing</a> of 25-year-old Serbian center <span>Miroslav Raduljica</span>. According to Fox Sports Wisconsin's Andrew Gruman, the <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewGruman/status/360807166640271360" target="_blank">contract is for two years with a third-year team option</a>. Raduljica's signing comes <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/25/4558328/gustavo-ayon-waived-bucks-potential-cap-space-up-to-10-million" target="_blank">just a day after the Bucks waived</a> center <span>Gustavo Ayon's</span> non-guaranteed contract.</p>
<p>Raduljica, who measures 7'1" and about 250 lbs, signed a five-year contract with Turkish club Efes Pilsen (<span>Ersan Ilyasova</span> also spend time with this team) in 2010, but has been on loan each of the past two years. He played professionally for <a href="http://basketball.eurobasket.com/team/Azovmash_Mariupol/2392" target="_blank">Azovmash</a> in the Ukrainian Superleague last season. In 53 regular season games, Raduljica averaged 14.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 23 minutes per game.</p>
<p>Raduljica has put together quite the impressive resume across the Atlantic, including an appearance in the German Bundesliga Finals in 2010. He has also played on multiple Serbian National Teams, winning gold medals at the 2005 FIBA U18s, 2007 FIBA U19s, and 2008 FIBA U20s and being <a href="http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.season_2008.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.coid_e-W9nS5yGPwOEXedgwlPW2.articleMode_on.html" target="_blank">named the Tournament MVP </a>in 2008. He also played for Serbia in the 2009 EuroBasket Tournament, where he earned a silver medal.</p>
<p>Proper pronunciation is becoming a requisite skill for talking about the Milwaukee Bucks--thankfully, @BucksPR has us covered one again:</p>
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<p>Pronunciation for the newest Buck is MEER-oh-slav rah-DOO-liht-zah.</p>
— Bucks PR (@BucksPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/BucksPR/statuses/360809676662779906">July 26, 2013</a>
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<p>Terms of the contract were not immediately available. The Bucks have plenty of cap space available to sign what is presumably a small deal, and they also have their cap room exception, which is worth up to $2.6 million for up to two years. However, the third year in the reported deal suggests this would have been done with some of the Bucks' estimated $9.7 million in cap space.</p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/26/4560218/bucks-sign-serbian-center-miroslav-raduljicaDan Sinclair2013-07-24T18:28:41-05:002013-07-24T18:28:41-05:00Jennings standoff continues, Sanders hurts ankle
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Bucks and Brandon Jennings might still have a future together, a sprained ankle is expected to keep Larry Sanders out of the remainder of the Team USA minicamp, and John Henson's strong week in Vegas made him a unanimous favorite in the desert for the second straight season.</p> <p><a href="http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-am-the-free-agent-update"><b>HOOPSWORLD | Bucks still interested in Jennings...just not in overpaying</b></a><br>Steve Kyler reports that <span>Brandon Jennings</span>' return hasn't been ruled out by the Bucks--but it has to be at the right price. There's also that whole bit about Jennings actually signing on the dotted line (details!), but personally I'm glad to hear the Bucks are both holding firm on their valuation of Jennings without completely ruling out the possibility of bringing him back.</p>
<blockquote>Both Jennings and the Bucks have entertained sign-and-trade scenarios, but sources close to the situation say Milwaukee is not going to sandbag their season to move Jennings for basically nothing and that any deal made would have to return a legitimate starting point guard.
<p>Both sides are talking, and a deal to keep Jennings in Milwaukee could be had in the $8 million per season range. The question is will Jennings take a deal at that price? He wants significantly more considering his peers received deals in the $11 to $12 million per season range last year by way of extensions.</p>
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<p>Most of the debate about Jennings has seemingly focused around three possibilities: 1) a sign-and-trade (though no one seems to have an idea who would be interested) 2) a long-term deal that most assume would be four years and worth between $8 million (what the Bucks want) and $12 million annually (what Jennings wants) and 3) the qualifying offer worth $4.5 million for one year (which should be a last resort for both sides).</p>
<p>I get that many Bucks fans at this point are taking an "anyone-but-Brandon" philosophy, but even a skeptic like myself <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/23/4546814/nba-free-agency-brandon-jennings" target="_blank">still considers Jennings an asset that shouldn't simply be given away</a>. So what happens if there isn't a sign-and-trade market for Jennings that nets the Bucks a quality starter (say a Kyle Lowry-ish guy)? While that might be the best-case scenario for everyone, it will require a third party to show enough interest in Jennings that they pay him AND give up something of value for the privilege of doing so. Right now there aren't any takers, though as the summer drags on I'd guess Jennings' camp would lower their asking price for other teams (if they haven't done so already). </p>
<p>So what about Jennings returning? I still view the QO as a worst-case for both sides: it leaves the Bucks with a guy who a) is likely bolting without compensation as soon as he can next summer b) will be dogged all seasons by obvious questions about how much he doesn't want to be in Milwaukee c) can't be traded easily because he'll have a no-trade clause and d) will have little trade value because he's expiring and won't carry Bird rights over to his new team. Sure, he <i>should </i>be motivated to play well, but the same should have been true last year, right? And if he does play well, then how exciting will it be to see him walk for nothing next summer? Bottom line: let's stop acting like the QO is a good solution for anyone.</p>
<p>That leaves a new multi-year deal as the only other possibility, but don't assume that a new four year deal (the gold standard for most rookie extensions) is the only option here. Longer deals have more risk for teams, so a two- or three-year deal might well strike the right balance between locking up an asset without betting the farm on a player the Bucks have obvious (and justifiable) questions about. Meanwhile, Jennings should also be willing to do a shorter deal as a compromise--it's not as financially risky as taking the QO, but would still enable him to leave Milwaukee two or three years from now if he so chooses. The devil is in the details of course, but there's plenty of room to play here by adding options and of course moving the dollar amounts. A third-year player option would give Jennings a good deal more flexibility/insurance, while the Bucks would obviously benefit from a team option or partially guaranteed final year. The Bucks can pull the QO without losing their matching rights on October 1, so if it's the end of September and nothing has changed, would Jennings really turn down a three-year, $24 million deal with a third year player option? I'm not saying it's the perfect solution, but at least it might be <i>a</i> solution.</p>
<p><b>RealGM: Sanders sprains ankle...but nothing too serious</b><br>Shams Charnia tweets good news regarding Larry Sanders' sprained ankle:</p>
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<p>MRI for Larry Sanders' ankle showed nothing more than a sprain. He will rehab his ankle and said he'll be fine soon.</p>
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/statuses/360141561499099136">July 24, 2013</a>
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<p>Charles Gardner writes that <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jsonline.com%2Fsports%2Fbucks%2Flarry-sanders-sprains-ankle-in-team-usa-workouts-b9959440z1-216693341.html&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brewhoop.com%2F2013%2F7%2F24%2F4551170%2Fbrandon-jennings-free-agency-larry-sanders-sprains-ankle-team-usa-john-henson-vegas" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Sanders was understandably disappointed</a> after spraining the ankle during Tuesday's Team USA Select camp scrimmage.</p>
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<p>"I want to play," a disappointed Sanders said. "LD (<a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bucks</a> coach <span>Larry Drew</span>) was here. I felt like I was getting that second wind today.</p>
<p>"Unfortunate. I have to get an MRI. It looks like a sprain, though. It's pretty swollen."</p>
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<p>Feel better, Larry!</p>
<p><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9501245/nba-offseason-moves-assessing-winners-tankers-everything-between">Lowe: NBA offseason moves - assessing the winners, tankers, and everything in between</a><br>Zach Lowe serves up a rather on-point summary of the off-season so far, including a detailed take on the Bucks. Most interesting to me is his reference to a near max deal for Sanders--I don't doubt that Larry will command eight figures if he hits free agency, but at this point I think (hope?) Serge Ibaka's four year, $48 million deal is the upper limit of what he would command. The danger is another team gives him a Roy Hibbert-like max offer when he hits restricted free agency, which is one major reason that the Bucks would be well-served to try locking him up this summer. </p>
<p><b>Vegas Recaps!</b></p>
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<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/61700/thtv-all-you-can-eat-with-john-henson" style="font-weight: bold;">TrueHoop TV | </a>All you can eat with <span>John Henson</span>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://nba.si.com/2013/07/22/las-vegas-summer-league-jonas-valanciunas-kent-bazemore-john-henson-dennis-schroder/"><b>SI.com</b></a> | Henson among Vegas all-stars. </li>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/2013/7/22/4545222/encyclopedia-nba-summer-league-las-vegas-2013"><b>SB Nation</b></a> | Seth Rosenthal is great, and so is his Encyclopedia of Summer League Curiosities.</li>
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/69166/six-degrees-of-summer-league"><b>Grantland</b></a> | Andrew Sharp serves up his Six Degrees of Summer League</li>
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<p><b><a href="http://www.nba.com/bucks/features/boeder-130724">Bucks.com | Scouting Wolters</a><br></b>Good stuff here from our man Alex Boeder, who chats with director of scouting Billy McKinney about all things <span>Nate Wolters</span>. </p>
<blockquote>Initially, in addition to being able to run a team, I think he will be a really good defender. He is quicker than he appears, and there is a very good possibility he will be able to guard point guards as well shooting guards due to his size. We felt like, when we drafted him, one of the questions we were asked was, if there was a game tomorrow, could you put him in a game? And we all felt comfortable we could do that.</blockquote>
<p><b>Woelfel | Bucks still interested in Gary Neal</b><br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/7/23/4550036/gary-neal-nba-free-agency-spurs" target="_blank">The Spurs have pulled their qualifying offer for restricted free agent Gary Neal</a>, meaning that he's now free to sign with anyone. And Gery Woelfel tweets that Milwaukee remains a possible destination:</p>
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<p>Just like I tweeted 2 weeks ago, Bucks still interested in Gary Neal.</p>
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeryWoelfel/statuses/360081397924372480">July 24, 2013</a>
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<p>My one-sentence scouting report on Neal: he's more of a two than a one, a "meh" defender and was a fairly efficient perimeter scorer in his first two seasons in San Antonio before falling off a bit last season. The Bucks need swingmen more than combo guards, but you could certainly do worse than Neal among the guys currently available. In summary, I can't summon the emotional energy to feel too strongly one way or the other about Neal. </p>
<p>And in case you're wondering, the Bucks have about $8.7 million in cap space assuming they don't waive Gustavo Ayon tomorrow (deadline for him becoming guaranteed) and keep their $7.9 million cap hold on Jennings. They also have the room exception available, which allows for a starting salary of up to $2.6 million for two years. I would assume that of their three remaining roster spots, one will be used on Jennings or his replacement and the other two will be for either two wings or a wing and a combo guard.</p>
<p><b>Twitter | The market for Zaza</b><br>While far from a Gadzuric-level mistake, Zaza Pachulia's three-year, $15.6 million contract always felt just a bit too rich for a backup center, right? HOOPSWORLD's Lang Greene tweets: </p>
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<p>A little <span>Zaza Pachulia</span> nugget. Hearing other suitors were only offering two year deals for the vet ... third year from Milwaukee sealed deal</p>
— Lang Greene (@LangGreene) <a href="https://twitter.com/LangGreene/statuses/358706030101798914">July 20, 2013</a>
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https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/24/4551170/brandon-jennings-free-agency-larry-sanders-sprains-ankle-team-usa-john-henson-vegasFrank Madden2013-07-23T08:05:07-05:002013-07-23T08:05:07-05:00Let's not forget: Brandon Jennings still has value
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Restricted free agency has been unkind to Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings, but it's important to remember that he still has value to a franchise like the Bucks.</p> <p>How much is <span>Brandon Jennings</span> worth? It's a conversation that used to be easy to start and difficult to finish. What Jennings accomplished in the NBA prior to his 22nd birthday allowed us to dream beyond the normal limits of his physical template; to stretch and bend our expectations like the stylized tail of the cursive "P" headlining his Potential. Let's not forget that Jennings did enough to encourage Bucks fans desperate for a superstar savior to imagine a brighter future.</p>
<p>Things have changed quite a bit since BJ turned 23. Now it's difficult to start the conversation on his value, and easy to finish it. He's too small. He's too inefficient. He's too far away from being the perennial all-star player some had imagined he could become. His perceived upside is no longer floating in the open air, free to expand like the tail of the P in Potential. His future has become a prisoner to overblown expectations, trapped in the half-circle at the top of that lead letter. Whether you enjoy the imagery or not -- I think it's fitting that "P" is slightly above middle ground, alphabetically speaking -- the Brandon Jennings conversation is still, in a twisted and tortured way, all about Potential.</p>
<p>Most of the important parties have already weighed in on the topic. Brandon and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, reportedly provided the Bucks with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/9/4506252/free-agency-rumors-brandon-jennings-jeff-teague-monta-ellis">salary demands for any long-term deal</a>. The Bucks, in turn, spent their energy pursuing <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/11/4512888/jeff-teague-milwaukee-bucks-brandon-jennings">a four-year, $32 million offer sheet</a> for rival restricted free agent point guard <span>Jeff Teague</span>. NBA executives throughout the league have certainly expressed <i>something </i>about Jennings by refusing to extend a competitive offer sheet, or an enticing sign-and-trade proposal. The Sport VU cameras installed at the BMO Harris Bradley Center and elsewhere around the NBA have dutifully recorded every conceivable detail of Brandon's game. Maybe the new analytics-minded executives are ready to make an example of Mr. Jennings in light of stricter salary cap rules. Ten years ago he'd have signed a new deal worth $10+ million annually by now, and both sides would have been <i>ecstatic</i> to do it. Maybe the new NBA market truly has spoken.</p>
<p>Or maybe we're forgetting that the world of restricted free agency works differently than the open market. Jennings and his agent have every right to ask for more than he's worth. The Bucks hold most of the cards with their RFA guard, so they have the leverage to offer less than BJ is worth, at least while they wait for an offer sheet from another team to push the price higher. Other teams have the incentive to avoid extending an offer sheet that comes in much too high or much too low -- to keep the Bucks from gaining surplus value on a matched offer, or to avoid losing surplus value on an overpriced bid. The $4.5 million qualifying offer that hangs over the entire process basically speaks for itself. Restricted free agency ain't free. Ask Jeff Teague. For players with a true value somewhere below the max dollar amount for an offer sheet, things often move slowly.</p>
<p>But look who's talking now, right? I've written... (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2011/4/8/2098888/brandon-jennings-fan-club-is-officially-down-a-member" target="_blank">one</a>), (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/1/19/2718956/brandon-jennings-milwaukee-bucks-2012-rebuild-point-guard" target="_blank">two</a>), (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/1/21/2724516/brandon-jennings-milwaukee-bucks-2012" target="_blank">three</a>), (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/2/9/2782831/nba-all-star-roster-2012-brandon-jennings-kyrie-irving" target="_blank">four</a>), (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/7/26/3185312/milwaukee-bucks-brandon-jennings-monta-ellis" target="_blank">five</a>), (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/10/29/3565362/brandon-jennings-milwaukee-bucks-2012-preview" target="_blank">six</a>), <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/1/22/3904098/nba-all-star-brandon-jennings" target="_blank">(seven</a>), (<a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/12/31/3820198/brandon-jennings-bucks-lineup-pyramids" target="_blank">eight</a>)....<i>at least</i> <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/11/4512888/jeff-teague-milwaukee-bucks-brandon-jennings" target="_blank">nine</a> feature stories in which I've picked apart problematic elements of Brandon's game. There are plenty of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/7/22/4545662/nba-free-agency-brandon-jennings-bucks" target="_blank">valid reasons to remain skeptical about the young guard</a>. I don't consider myself a hater, however. I've only ever hated the idea of giving him an eight-figure annual salary based on his raw stats -- something the Bucks suddenly don't look motivated to do. With this new information in mind, it's time for me to re-frame the conversation.</p>
<p>I <b>know</b> Jennings has value. He may never be the ideal centerpiece scorer for a franchise, and he hasn't shown the ability to overcome the hard limits of his small stature, but Brandon is still a 23-year-old guard with 289 NBA starts under his belt. Kevin Pelton of ESPN is a brighter basketball mind than I will ever be, and he's a big-time believer in analytics, yet<a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/PerDiem-130701/best-impact-free-agents-2013" target="_blank"> he listed Jennings second behind Chris Paul</a> on his list of impact free agent PGs for the summer of 2013. The lack of big money offers could be the best thing that's ever happened to Brandon. He may finally realize he needs to change his approach to the game and apply his vast talent in different ways.</p>
<p>We all know there's still something there with BJ. If he were to leave Milwaukee, whether in a sign-and-trade deal or as a free agent next season, everyone would secretly worry that he'd reach his ceiling somewhere else. Getting Jennings back at the right price could be a solid move for the franchise. That's the simple truth at this point in the summer.</p>
<p>I understand why Bucks fans are completely uninterested in half-measures and partial solutions-- and that's what Jennings would be, even at the right price -- but weren't we all excited about the idea of adding Jeff Teague at $8 million per year? Fresh start rhetoric aside, that's a half-measure if I've ever heard one. It was probably the right price for Teague, but there's also a right price for Jennings that can't be far off that mark.</p>
<p>Here are my re-framed thoughts on the Jennings/Bucks situation:</p>
<p>(1) The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> should be focused on collecting young assets.</p>
<p>(2) Brandon Jennings is still a young asset with long-term value.</p>
<p>(3) He's worth more than the one-year, $4.5 million qualifying offer.</p>
<p>(4) He's worth less than the $12 million / year figure that he's reportedly seeking.</p>
<p>(5) He probably wants more than the $32 million over four years that Milwaukee offered to Jeff Teague.</p>
<p>(6) The Bucks <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2012/10/31/3578844/brandon-jennings-extension-contract-doron-lamb-jrue-holiday" target="_blank">probably aren't keen</a> on exceeding the $9-10 million mark.</p>
<p>(7) Jennings is under more pressure to cave than the Bucks are, because he would need to assume the harsh risks of injury and/or loss of future value under the QO to reach unrestricted free agency.</p>
<p>(8) There's still plenty of time for the Bucks to maximize the value of BJ as an asset.</p>
<p>(9) There's still plenty of time for the two sides to reach an agreement on a long-term deal.</p>
<p>(10) I see no plausible scenario where the Bucks would drastically overpay Jennings at this point in the process, so we can safely focus on value he could provide. There's nothing left to fear.</p>
<p>(11) A reasonable contract for a player under the age of 25 isn't something Bucks fans should get worked up about.</p>
<p>(12) Brandon Jennings still has value, and the Bucks are closer to finding it than ever before. Somebody had to say it, and I'm glad it was me.</p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2013/7/23/4546814/nba-free-agency-brandon-jenningsSteve von Horn