Brew Hoop - Ranking the Roster: Which of Milwaukee's players are the most valuable?Milwaukee Bucks News and Analysis Since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47773/brewhoop_fave.png2015-02-18T08:00:07-06:00http://www.brewhoop.com/rss/stream/57413962015-02-18T08:00:07-06:002015-02-18T08:00:07-06:00Revisiting our "Bucks Trade Value" rankings
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<p>The 2015 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-trade-deadline">NBA trade deadline</a> is approaching fast! By late afternoon tomorrow, we'll be sifting through deals and making sense of everything--or nothing, if this deadline is totally lame.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> haven't figured in a ton of rumors this season as numerous injuries have deprived them of a lot of depth on the roster, limiting the flexibility to swap position-for-position. What's more, the team has exceeded expectations so dramatically, with much of the credit going to veteran leadership and a tight-knit locker room, the perceived "need" to wheel-and-deal in search of talent upgrades and future assets has diminished.</p>
<p>But that doesn't mean John Hammond and the Bucks' front office are closing their eyes and plugging their ears. Hammond has insisted that <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/gm-john-hammond-future-focused-milwaukee-bucks-won-t-be-shortsighted-at-trade-deadline-021015" target="_blank">Milwaukee is still playing the long game</a> and won't do anything to jeopardize the future, which is surely welcome news to most fans. That doesn't preclude <i>any</i> sort of move, though, and the Bucks do have a couple of trade chips to work with, though nothing expendable that's likely to bring a significant return.</p>
<p>To that end, I took a look back at <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/8/6/5977355/ranking-the-roster-which-of-milwaukees-players-are-the-most-valuable" target="_blank">the series we ran this summer</a> that sought to rank all of Milwaukee's "assets" according to, essentially, trade value. Let's see how things have developed over half a season and what affect the past few months have had on roster valuation. For a reminder, here was our final list from September:</p>
<p><span>18. </span><span>O.J. Mayo</span><br><span>17. </span><span>Chris Wright</span><br><span>16. </span><span>Zaza Pachulia</span><br><span>15. </span><span>Jerryd Bayless</span><br><span>14. Johnny O`Bryant III</span><br><span>13. </span><span>Ersan Ilyasova</span><br><span>12. </span><span>Nate Wolters</span><br><span>11. </span><span>Jared Dudley</span><br><span>10. </span><a data-ref-index="16" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a><span>' 2017 first-round pick</span><br><span>9. </span><span>Kendall Marshall</span><br><span>8. </span><span>Damien Inglis</span><br><span>7. </span><span>Khris Middleton</span><br><span>6. </span><span>John Henson</span><br><span>5. </span><span>Larry Sanders</span><br><span>4. </span><span>Brandon Knight</span><br><span>3. 2015 Unprotected First-Round Pick</span><br><span>2. <span>Jabari Parker</span></span><br><span>1. <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span></span></p>
<h4>The Bottom Rungs: 18 - 12</h4>
<p>We ranked Nate Wolters ahead of almost all of Milwaukee's vets, but they all outlasted him on the roster. Wolters was never really a part of the rotation under <span>Jason Kidd</span>, and the fact that he cleared waivers after being released suggests he never had much trade value in the first place. Pachulia, Mayo, and Bayless have all played well for the most part, but salary concerns and a lack of depth behind each would seem to make a trade of any of them unlikely. Bayless might have been a decent asset, but Kendall Marshall's injury largely precludes any deal shipping him out unless a replacement is nabbed at the same time.</p>
<p>I think it's safe to assume the Bucks aren't getting a ton of calls about Johnny O'Bryant.</p>
<p>Ilyasova is the wild card here. Injuries have limited him to just 30 games this year, but when he's been able to play he's been...ok. His three-point shooting isn't great, but he's still known to be a threat from outside, which might be all that really matters. With the last year of his contract only $400k guaranteed, next season is effectively the last year of his deal, so he's not a mega cap-killer. But any deal for Ilyasova is going to need on a team that has a lot of faith in its ability to utilize him effectively, and nobody expects a bidding war at this point. The Bucks might be content to move him for next to nothing just to free up the cap space, or hold tight and see how things go the rest of the year.</p>
<h4>The Middle of the Pack: 11 - 6</h4>
<p>Trending up: Jared Dudley, John Henson, Khris Middleton (WAY up)</p>
<p>Trending down (due mostly to bad luck): Kendall Marshall, Damien Inglis</p>
<p>Treading water: Clippers' 2017 first-round pick</p>
<p>Lot of movers in this group, particularly among that first trio. Jared Dudley has emerged as a valuable role player and perhaps an even more valuable locker room guy. I said before the season that I though Dudley was a lock to be traded, but then he became Giannis' mentor, and the Bucks might honestly not be able to put a price on that.</p>
<p>John Henson and Khris Middleton have established themselves as <i>bona fide </i>players to watch. Henson <a target="_blank" href="http://grantland.com/the-triangle/john-henson-milwaukee-bucks/">got the Zach Lowe treatment</a> a month ago, as sure a sign a player is making a mark on the league as there is. Meanwhile, Middleton has improved nearly every part of his game and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2015/2/17/8037419/bucks-midseason-awards-mvp-brandon-knight-giannis">can be argued as the Bucks' MVP so far this season</a>. Frank made the case in our Midseason Awards post:</p>
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<p>He's the common thread in all of the Bucks' most successful lineups, he's <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/RPM" target="_blank"><b><i>sixth in the entire league</i></b></a> in real plus-minus, and his size and versatility at the shooting guard spot gives the Bucks the ability to switch everything on defense while posting up smaller guards on the other end.</p>
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<p>It's a fantastic success story for Middleton and the Bucks--a former throw-in for whom the Bucks now happily reject trade overtures.</p>
<h4>The (Once) Untouchables: 5 - 1</h4>
<p>It's hard to call the Larry Sanders situation anything less than a disaster at this point. It's looking increasingly likely that <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2015/2/16/8045943/bucks-larry-sanders-buyout-negotiations" target="_blank">Sanders has played his last game with the Bucks</a>, and it's not even clear if he'll return to the NBA anytime soon. At this point the hope is just that Milwaukee can minimize the financial hit they take if he does leave the team.</p>
<p>Jabari Parker gave Bucks fans no reason to fret his future <i>prior </i>to his injury, and while serious knee injuries always come with long-term risk, they're not the career death sentence they once were (NOBODY MENTION ROSE). For now we'll just hope the injury is a delay on his train to stardom, rather than a derailment.</p>
<p>Milwaukee's first-round pick has lost a ton of value thanks to their shocking turnaround, but the Bucks are used to drafting in the middle of the first round anyway. It's conceivable now that they could move the pick, but probably only for a young player or other future considerations.</p>
<p>Then there are Brandon and Giannis. Knight had a legitimate case for an All-Star berth this season while Giannis is just...something else. Consistency will be key for both guys through the rest of the season, particularly for Giannis, who strung together some of the best games of his career in the last few weeks before the All-Star break. And if Knight keeps up his numbers and leads the Bucks to a decent showing in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, he could be seeing a mighty big pile of cash this summer.</p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2015/2/18/8056291/2015-nba-trade-deadline-milwaukee-bucks-value-rankingsDan Sinclair2014-09-17T12:00:03-05:002014-09-17T12:00:03-05:00Ranking the Roster: It's All Greek to MKE
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<figcaption>Ronald Martinez</figcaption>
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<p> </p>
<p>We're done! We're finally done!</p>
<p>We've been counting down every player on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>' roster (plus a few draft picks) on our way to determining who (or what) is the most valuable asset on the roster. And now we have our answer!</p>
<p>Taking a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/15/6148129/ranking-the-milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-ultimate-battle-of">convincing majority (61%) of the over 1700 votes in our last poll</a>, <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> earns the top spot on our list, while <span>Jabari Parker</span> finishes as runner-up for already the second time in his NBA career.</p>
<p><b><u>The Final, Authoritative Milwaukee Bucks Roster Asset Rankings</u></b></p>
<p><b><u></u></b> 18. <span>O.J. Mayo</span><br>17. <span>Chris Wright</span><br>16. <span>Zaza Pachulia</span><br>15. <span>Jerryd Bayless</span><br>14. Johnny O`Bryant III<br>13. <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span><br>12. <span>Nate Wolters</span><br>11. <span>Jared Dudley</span><br>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>' 2017 first-round pick<br>9. <span>Kendall Marshall</span><br>8. <span>Damien Inglis</span><br>7. <span>Khris Middleton</span><br>6. <span>John Henson</span><br>5. <span>Larry Sanders</span><br>4. <span>Brandon Knight</span><br>3. 2015 Unprotected First-Round Pick<br>2. Jabari Parker<br>1. Giannis Antetokounmpo</p>
<p>So what pushed Giannis over the top? Familiarity, it seems, was the primary differentiator. The top of our list is full of young players with great potential, and no player embodied that ideal more last season than Antetokounmpo. So while Parker will begin his career with much higher fanfare and expectations (not to mention an extra year of team control on his contract), the good vibes Giannis brought to Milwaukee last year were still fresh enough in our minds to make the difference.</p>
<p>Is our mild favoritism justified? Perhaps, though we're still mostly speculating the same way we were prior to the draft, with only Las Vegas Summer League providing a bit more information. That short stretch of games definitely helped Giannis' case--the second-year pro generally looked like the Bucks' best player and showed off some surprisingly refined and developed skills. Nobody is worried about Jabari, but he's unlikely to step in and set the league on fire day one, while we've already seen Giannis affect games on many occasions.</p>
<p>Conventional thinking says Giannis has more potential on defense while Parker is the superior offensive talent. That might be a bit limiting to both players, particularly after seeing Giannis effectively run the team in Vegas. That preconception also plays to Giannis' benefit: we all had an idea of what he would bring to the roster, only to have him show things totally unexpected. Instead of completely reformulating our idea of him as a player, we optimistically thought, "Wow, he can do all this stuff <i>too</i>!" It's easy to view surprises in a positive light when expectations are low.</p>
<p>How about the entire list? A few posts back our own <i>Oldresorter</i> <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/8/6121223/counting-down-the-milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-exit-sandman#256456404" target="_blank">laid out a set of natural categorizations</a>, or tiers, that developed somewhat organically in our list. Here's a general restatement of those categories with a few tweaks from me:</p>
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<li><span>Young players with varying levels of potential but little current value behind roster/trade filler.</span></li>
<li><span>Older veterans at their ceiling or on the decline, generally with over-market contracts.</span></li>
<li><span>Young players who might grow into role players.</span></li>
<li><span>Players already established as role players.</span></li>
<li><span>Vets with established levels of production and are/could be above-average starters or better.</span></li>
<li><span>Young players with immense potential and some positive track record.</span></li>
<li><span>Flat-out Stars (my addition).</span></li>
</ol>
<p>The order of categories above is how <i>I</i> would arrange them from least-to-most valuable, with maybe a bit of flip-flopping depending on circumstances. So as you go through our value list, it's interesting to think about where each player fits in that categorical breakdown. Who looks ready to jump from a lower tier to a higher one? When building a roster, is it useful to search for opportunities to flip multiple assets from a lower tier into few from a higher one? When is/isn't this the case? Lots of fun questions to ponder.</p>
<p>So there you have it! Thanks to everyone for voting over and over again and for all the great discussion of the Bucks' roster in our comments.</p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/17/6268721/the-bucks-most-valuable-asset-its-all-greek-to-mkeDan Sinclair2014-09-15T07:30:02-05:002014-09-15T07:30:02-05:00Ranking the Roster: The Final Cut
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<figcaption>Mike Stobe</figcaption>
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<p>And then there were two.</p> <p><a href="http://xkcd.com/1022/" target="_blank">So, it has come to this.</a></p>
<p>Destiny, that's what brought us here. Our paths were many and obscure. But we have arrived. We may not have come together. Indeed, there was strife along the road. At times we did not know where we were going. 12 poor souls thought that <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span> was the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/8/18/6030461/counting-down-the-milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-bye-bye-bayless/in/5741396" target="_blank">12th-most valuable asset on the roster</a>. Our companions abandoned us during the journey, <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/8/26/6071223/clippers-trade-jared-dudley-future-first-rounder-delfino" target="_blank">only to be replaced by strangers</a>.</p>
<p>But our cause was sure and true, and we have reached the promised land. Our two idols stand in silence, awaiting judgement, but only one can reign supreme. Choosing the victor falls to us.</p>
<p>Choose wisely.</p>
<p><theme></theme></p>
<p>Yo folks, check it: this poll asks which player is the <u style="font-weight: bold;">MOST</u> valuable, so pick the player who you think deserves the <u style="font-weight: bold;">TOP</u> spot on our list. The loser of this vote will take the #2 spot, Miss America style. Thanks y'all.</p>
<p><theme></theme></p>
<p><ethereal></ethereal></p>
<p><b><u><a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a> Roster Asset Rankings<br></u></b>18. <span>O.J. Mayo</span><br>17. <span>Chris Wright</span><br>16. <span>Zaza Pachulia</span><br>15. <span>Jerryd Bayless</span><br>14. Johnny O`Bryant III<br>13. <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span><br>12. <span>Nate Wolters</span><br>11. <span>Jared Dudley</span><br>10. <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a>' 2017 first-round pick<br>9. <span>Kendall Marshall</span><br>8. <span>Damien Inglis</span><br>7. <span>Khris Middleton</span><br>6. <span>John Henson</span><br>5. <span>Larry Sanders</span><br>4. <span>Brandon Knight</span><br>3. 2015 Unprotected First-Round Pick</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2381276/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium_medium_medium.png"><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2381276/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium_medium_medium_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium_medium_medium_medium"></a></p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/15/6148129/ranking-the-milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-ultimate-battle-ofDan Sinclair2014-09-11T07:30:00-05:002014-09-11T07:30:00-05:00Ranking the Roster: Nuh-night, Knight
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<p>Milwaukee's young guard showed enough promise in his first season with the Bucks to earn the 4th spot on our list.</p> <p>In our last few polls we've reopened the question of what "value" really means, and what we're really voting on in these rankings. Prior to our latest poll, the choice seemed to come down to a decision between two players:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Larry Sanders, who was perceived by some to have a higher potential value which could be achieved in the future, but who offered no guarantee of doing so and faced a lot of current questions, or...</span></li>
<li><span>Brandon Knight, who by most accounts had a surprisingly strong first season in Milwaukee and is trending up as a player, but may never reach the same heights of a player like Sanders at each's respective peaks.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Ultimately Brandon Knight made it through the cut thanks to strong support from fans optimistic that his physical talent and strong work ethic would continue to guide him to new heights as a player.</p>
<p>Our latest poll presented a different dichotomy though, and this time Knight couldn't overcome the most tantalizing asset of all for an up-and-coming small-market team: possibility.</p>
<p>There is no asset in the Bucks' possession with the same mix of uncertainty and promise as the team's 2015 first-round pick. We don't know where in the draft it will fall. We don't know who will be available to select. We don't even know who we will <i>want</i> the team to select yet. But a first-round pick is the ultimate investment in the future. It's a young player to be molded into a superstar, not to mention four years of cost-controlled talent. Knight might be a good young player with plenty of room yet to improve, but the pick could be anyone, anything! That's a hard thing to overlook for a fanbase that's just gone through what Bucks fans have.</p>
<p>It doesn't have to be a knock on Knight anyway. Even if Knight continues to improve, he's only going to be inexpensive for one more season before the Bucks (or some hypothetical trade partner) have to make a major decision. That matters a lot in this exercise. So I wouldn't recommend looking at this result as a suggestion that Bucks fans want to move on from Knight with a first-round pick that could or should provide an upgrade. It's just that people <i>love</i> first-round picks.</p>
<p><b><u>Milwaukee Bucks Roster Asset Rankings</u></b> <br>18. O.J. Mayo<br>17. Chris Wright<br>16. Zaza Pachulia<br>15. Jerryd Bayless <br>14. Johnny O`Bryant III<br>13. Ersan Ilyasova<br>12. Nate Wolters<br>11. Jared Dudley<br>10. Clippers' 2017 first-round pick<br>9. Kendall Marshall<br>8. Damien Inglis<br>7. Khris Middleton<br>6. John Henson<br>5. Larry Sanders<br>4. Brandon Knight</p>
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https://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/11/6133771/milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-brandon-knightDan Sinclair2014-09-08T13:20:22-05:002014-09-08T13:20:22-05:00Ranking the Roster - Exit Sandman
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>He had about as bad a season as could be imagined last year, but Bucks fans still have hope for Larry Sanders.</p> <p><i>Exit Liiiight.....</i></p>
<p><i>Enter Kniiiiight.....</i></p>
<p><i>Paaaarker tooooo.....</i></p>
<p><i>Giannis is worth more than you...</i></p>
<p>So what do we make of <span>Larry Sanders</span>? Is he still the guy who finished the 2012-2013 season as the presumptive heir to the Face of the Franchise throne and a promising enough player to warrant an 8-figure contract extension? Or is he now the guy who can't even stay on the court because of his actions off it?</p>
<p>Judging from our poll results, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> fans are still optimistic that Sanders can return to his pre-nightmare (this Metallica tie-in is <i>perfect</i>) form, when he was one of the top young defensive big men in the entire NBA and at least decent on offense. Because if he can't, he's an $11 million cap albatross and potentially disruptive locker-room presence on a young and impressionable team. There's not a whole lot of value in the latter.</p>
<p>Do we know which is the real Sanders? Last season was basically the perfect storm of bad choices and bad luck for Larry, who absolutely should certainly be held accountable for losing his cool in a bar fight that left him injured in both body and reputation. Similarly, he has nobody to blame but himself for a drug charge stemming from apparent marijuana usage. Those were decisions Sanders made with full knowledge of the consequences, and he deserves most of the criticism that comes with them.</p>
<p>But there is at least a little hope that Bucks fans aren't being overly optimistic. While there's no accounting for personality or bad habits, it's fair to expect Sanders has wised up a bit after when he went through over the past year. And perhaps more encouraging is this: within a few weeks of returning from his initial injury, <a href="http://www.bucksketball.com/2014/02/starting-to-play-pretty-well-larry-sanders/" target="_blank">Sanders was starting to play quite well again</a>. All the meaningful trends looked like they were continuing: Sanders was shooting almost exclusively easy shots near the hoop (even if his finishing was a little sluggish), he was racing down the court with his fellow burners, and he was playing excellent interior defense. When the perfect storm's final squall finally hit in the form of a <span>James Harden</span> elbow, it was a legitimate loss for the Bucks, not an eye-roll-inducing "Here we go again" moment. Of course, the next news we heard was in regards to his suspension, so right back into the dumps we all went.</p>
<p>Still, the teaser was there, and if Sanders can avoid the off-court troubles that doomed him last season, there's no reason to think he can't once again be a productive player. He still needs to continue the upward trajectory he was on if his $11 million salary is going to be a good value for Milwaukee, but at least he's not a lost cause.</p>
<p><b><u>Milwaukee Bucks Roster Asset Rankings</u></b></p>
<p><b><u></u></b>18. <span>O.J. Mayo</span><br>17. <span>Chris Wright</span><br>16. <span>Zaza Pachulia</span><br>15. <span>Jerryd Bayless</span><br>14. Johnny O`Bryant III<br>13. <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span><br>12. <span>Nate Wolters</span><br>11. <span>Jared Dudley</span><br>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>' 2017 first-round pick<br>9. <span>Kendall Marshall</span><br>8. <span>Damien Inglis</span><br>7. <span>Khris Middleton</span><br>6. <span>John Henson</span><br>5. Larry Sanders</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2372560/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium.png"><img alt="Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2372560/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium_medium.png"></a></p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/8/6121223/counting-down-the-milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-exit-sandmanDan Sinclair2014-09-05T22:05:58-05:002014-09-05T22:05:58-05:00Ranking the Roster - HENSWAN SONG OR SOMETHING
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<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox</figcaption>
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<p>I'M SO TIRED OF THESE PUNS.</p> <p>We're counting down the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>' <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/8/6/5977355/ranking-the-roster-which-of-milwaukees-players-are-the-most-valuable">most valuable assets one by one</a> to get a clear picture of how Bucks fans view---</p>
<p>OH COME ON YOU KNOW THE DRILL AT THIS POINT. JOHN HENSON IS THE NEXT PLAYER ON OUR LIST.</p>
<p>Henson had terrific per-minute stats as a rookie, which made everybody think that he would also be really good in his sophomore season. And he sort of was--he had the third-highest PER of any rotation player on the roster thanks to reasonably efficient scoring and strong rebounding. While he's a bit old for a second-year player (he turns 24 in December), Henson's production screams things like "underutilized" and "breakout candidate."</p>
<p>So why is everybody so unsure about him?</p>
<p>Lots of reasons, actually, though some are easier to justify than others. For starters, Henson is a fairly limited player. He can't shoot with much of any range and can't really facilitate offense (though he improved in that regard last season). His go-to move is a hook shot that, while fairly reliable (and basically unblockable), isn't something to build an offense around. And for all the impressive numbers in Henson's basic statistical résumé, advanced metrics have typically painted an unflattering picture of his contributions on the court. Maybe the most irksome thing for fans is the perception that Henson just doesn't <i>care</i> enough. Enough to push himself to improve, enough to take a leadership role on a rudderless team, enough to be bothered much at all by constant losing. There's a lot of hearsay that goes into those types of complaints, and armchair psychiatry of professional athletes is rarely successful, but it is what it is.</p>
<p>Still, there are also plenty of reasons for Henson to be this <i>high </i>on our list too. Henson's sub-par defensive performance to date is surprising for a player with so much obvious potential on that end. He's got two more cheap seasons on his contract, giving the Bucks plenty of time to evaluate him as a core piece or trade chip before making any long-term commitments. And sometimes that hook shot is just <i>so</i> pretty. Henson is another one of those guys that's simply hard to pin down, and his third season will likely go a long way in determining his future, be it in Milwaukee or elsewhere.</p>
<p>In the end "potential," so often a treasured quality where the Bucks are concerned, might have worked against Henson in this poll. The next closest choice was Larry Sanders, who continues to skirt by despite a disastrous 2013-2014 season. But Sanders at least has one season of elite-level defensive performance to back him up. That, plus maybe a little bit of the fiery-underdog persona that some people like, likely pushed him over the top in comparison to the yet-uncertain Henson.</p>
<p><b><u>Milwaukee Bucks Roster Asset Rankings</u></b></p>
<p>18. <span>O.J. Mayo</span><br>17. <span>Chris Wright</span><br>16. <span>Zaza Pachulia</span><br>15. <span>Jerryd Bayless</span><br>14. Johnny O`Bryant III<br>13. <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span><br>12. <span>Nate Wolters</span><br>11. <span>Jared Dudley</span><br>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>' 2017 first-round pick<br>9. <span>Kendall Marshall</span><br>8. <span>Damien Inglis</span><br>7. <span>Khris Middleton</span><br>6. <span>John Henson</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2370046/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium.png"><img alt="Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2370046/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium_medium.png"></a></p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/5/6112875/counting-down-the-milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-henswan-songDan Sinclair2014-09-03T21:26:50-05:002014-09-03T21:26:50-05:00Ranking the Roster - Middlesticks
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<figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>From trade throw-in to valuable contributor in just one season!</p> <p><i>We're counting down the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>' <a target="_blank" href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/8/6/5977355/ranking-the-roster-which-of-milwaukees-players-are-the-most-valuable">most valuable assets one by one</a> to get a clear picture of how Bucks fans view the current roster.</i></p>
<p>When <span>Khris Middleton's</span> name popped up in the final report of the trade that sent <span>Brandon Knight</span> to Milwaukee and <span>Brandon Jennings</span> to Detroit, little was made of it. A 21-year old who averaged six points in 17-plus minutes per game, he was easily overlooked. It wasn't even clear if he would have much opportunity to play.</p>
<p>One season later and Middleton increasingly looks like the weight that tipped the scales on that deal convincingly in Milwaukee's favor. His overall metrics don't look much different from his rookie year; he saw modest increases in TS%, PER, and even a decline in WS/48. He's still a limited player who doesn't offer much rebounding and doesn't draw fouls. But timing was finally on the Bucks' side, for they may reap the benefits of holding the contract of a young, cheap player who demonstrates a clear, useful skill. In Middleton's case, that's shooting.</p>
<p>Middleton quickly revealed himself as Milwaukee's best catch-and-shoot option. His 59.8% eFG% on catch-and-shoot jumpers (<a target="_blank" href="http://stats.nba.com/playerTrackingCatchShoot.html?pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25&filters=TeamAbbr*E*MIL&sortField=EFG_PCT&sortOrder=DES">per NBA.com Player Tracking</a>) was best on the team and ranked in the top third among all players who scored at least 250 points off catch-and-shoot jumpers. His game evoked fond memories of Mike Dunleavy Jr's smooth, controlled shooting, even if Middleton doesn't have quite the versatility Dunleavy offered.</p>
<p>The importance of shooting cannot be overstated in the modern NBA, and combined with Middleton's extremely team-friendly contract, his ability makes him a very valuable asset. But there are a few questions facing the Bucks when it comes to Middleton's future. Was his massive jump in three-point accuracy a fluke (research from Nylon Calculus <a target="_blank" href="http://nyloncalculus.com/2014/08/29/long-take-three-point-shooting-stabilize/">suggests it's far too early to tell</a>)? Is his skill valuable enough at his young age to justifying keeping him beyond his cheap rookie contract? Middleton was an easy player to root for and one of the few bright spots for last year's Bucks, but he's going to be overshadowed by a number of other players this season, and any regression could quickly render him very expendable.</p>
<p><b><u> Milwaukee Bucks Roster Asset Rankings</u></b></p>
<p><b><u></u></b>18. <span>O.J. Mayo</span><br>17. <span>Chris Wright</span><br>16. <span>Zaza Pachulia</span><br>15. <span>Jerryd Bayless</span><br>14. Johnny O`Bryant III<br>13. <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span><br>12. <span>Nate Wolters</span><br>11. <span>Jared Dudley</span><br>10. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a>' 2017 first-round pick<br>9. <span>Kendall Marshall</span><br>8. <span>Damien Inglis</span><br>7. Khris Middleton</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2367038/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39.png"><img alt="Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2367038/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium.png"></a></p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2014/9/3/6104297/milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-khris-middletonDan Sinclair2014-08-29T11:55:02-05:002014-08-29T11:55:02-05:00Ranking the Roster - Damien, we hardly knew ye
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-urLfXssejbiYnHDhfvS6-zkrYQ=/0x0:720x480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37635658/484960515_10.0.jpg" />
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<p>We've seen very little of the Bucks' 2nd-round pick, but he made it all the way to the top half of our rankings.</p> <p><i>We're counting down the <a href="https://www.brewhoop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Milwaukee Bucks</a>' <a href="http://www.brewhoop.com/2014/8/6/5977355/ranking-the-roster-which-of-milwaukees-players-are-the-most-valuable" target="_blank">most valuable assets one by one</a> to get a clear picture of how Bucks fans view the current roster.</i></p>
<p><span>Damien Inglis</span> is truly and International Man of Mystery. Since being drafted by the Bucks with the first pick of the 2014 NBA Draft's second round, we've barely seen or heard anything of Inglis, who didn't even sign with the team until very recently. But the unknown is just so much more <i>exciting</i> than the known, and Inglis' nebulous potential--and an assuredly team-friendly contract--was enough to keep him around in our rankings for quite some time.</p>
<p>Much of what your average Milwaukee Bucks fans knows about Inglis is still gleaned almost exclusively from draft-related scouting reports, <a href="http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Damien-Inglis-Scouting-Report-and-Video-Breakdown-4500/" target="_blank">like this extensive offering from DraftExpress</a> or <a href="http://upsidemotor.com/2014/08/25/damien-inglis-scouting-milwaukee-bucks/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">this recent take from Upside and Motor</a>. We discussed these reports quite a bit back around draft time, but as a quick refresher, let's just summarize the primary elements contributing to Inglis relatively high perceived value:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>As the 31st-overall pick, Inglis certainly qualifies as a coveted "First-round talent with a second-round draft slot," making it easy to sell him as a talented player with a very favorable contract by virtue of where he was selected.</span></li>
<li><span>He's just 19 years old with plenty of upside.</span></li>
<li><span>Aside from possibly <span>Giannis Antetokounmpo</span>, he projects as the best wing defender on the roster (though he might not manifest as such right away).</span></li>
<li><span>He's very cheap. And really, this can't be emphasized enough. Whichever team employs him will have very little trouble letting him develop with such a small cap hit.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>While Inglis has his issues--he's turnover prone, he's not a <i>great</i> shooter, and his athleticism doesn't always show up on offense--he has virtually zero downside as an asset.</p>
<p><b><u> Milwaukee Bucks Roster Asset Rankings</u></b></p>
<p>18. <span>O.J. Mayo</span><br>17. <span>Chris Wright</span><br>16. <span>Zaza Pachulia</span><br>15. <span>Jerryd Bayless</span><br>14. Johnny O`Bryant III<br>13. <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span><br>12. <span>Nate Wolters</span><br>11. <span>Jared Dudley</span><br>10. <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a>' 2015 first-round pick<br>9. <span>Kendall Marshall</span><br>8. Damien Inglis</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2361406/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39.png"><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/imported_assets/2361406/Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Screenshot_2014-08-27_07.12.39_medium"></a></p>
https://www.brewhoop.com/2014/8/29/6082545/milwaukee-bucks-most-valuable-assets-damien-inglisDan Sinclair