The Bucks might not win a lot of games next season, but there are still intriguing storylines in Milwaukee. Jabari Parker‘s play as a favorite to win Rookie of the Year, Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s continued development (including ball handling, as the “Greek Freak” spent time at the point in Summer League), and how new coach Jason Kidd handles a young and athletic roster will all be interesting factors to watch. Here’s a rundown of Bucks notes:
- Jerryd Bayless‘ two-year, $6MM contract with the Bucks is fully guaranteed, tweets Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders.
- Bayless’ decision to sign with Milwaukee was largely influenced by the presence of Kidd, one of the best point guards in league history, he tells Rich Rovito of The Associated Press. “The thing that was most intriguing was Kidd,” Bayless said. “He can help me in a variety of different ways. There aren’t a lot of guys like him that come around.”
- The Bucks renounced their rights to Ekpe Udoh and Marquis Daniels earlier this week, tweets Pincus. Removing those cap holds, in conjunction with their signings of Bayless and rookie Johnny O’Bryant, leave the team nearly $7MM under the salary cap, as Pincus details in his updated salary sheet for Milwaukee.
- Greg Foster has left the Sixers assistant coaching staff to join Milwaukee as their second assistant, tweets Bob Cooney of Philadelphia Daily News, confirming an earlier report by Jake Fischer of Liberty Ballers (on Twitter) of Foster’s move.