In his latest NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler focuses on the Bucks' offseason, attempting to explain the thinking behind their moves this month. Zach Lowe of Grantland wrote last week that many executives around the league were confused by the Bucks' offseason plan, but Kyler makes the case that the roster is deeper and better poised for the long-term than it was before. Here's more from the HoopsWorld scribe:
- The Bucks feel like Ersan Ilyasova is "capable of a big leap" in 2013/14, and made a number of their offseason decisions with an eye on acquiring players who can complement him.
- Milwaukee remains very open to re-signing Brandon Jennings, but the two sides still don't appear to be all that close on a dollar figure. While Jennings continues to seek a deal comparable to those signed by Jrue Holiday, Stephen Curry, and Ty Lawson last summer (four years, $44-48MM), the Bucks aren't interested in going that high.
- Sources tell Kyler that Jennings has "strongly considered" accepting the Bucks' one-year qualifying offer. It would pay him about $4.53MM next season, and would make him an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2014.
- The Bucks have started contract extension talks with Larry Sanders. Sanders can avoid becoming a restricted free agent next summer by signing a new deal by October 31st, and there appears to be a "better than average" chance that happens, according to Kyler.