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Bucks Notes: Ilyasova, Jennings, Hammond, Skiles

May 4th, 2012 at 2:21pm CST by Luke Adams

Ersan Ilyasova would have been my choice for the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2011/12 if I had a vote, but the Bucks forward finished as the runner-up behind Ryan Anderson. Even without the award, Ilyasova appears poised for a big payday in free agency this summer. Bucks GM John Hammond said today that "it's not going to be easy" to re-sign Ilyasova, though Milwaukee would like to bring him back.

Hammond and Bucks owner Herb Kohl spoke at a news conference today about a number of topics, with Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times rounding up the highlights via Twitter:

  • A contract extension for Brandon Jennings is "not something we have to do," says Hammond. Jennings is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal and will be eligible for an extension.
  • Kohl says he has no plans to extend Hammond or coach Scott Skiles this summer. The pair are entering the final year of their respective contracts.
  • The team will be seeking a "real quality big man," according to Kohl.
  • Kohl went on the offensive for a new Milwaukee arena, saying he'd put his own money into it, according to Woelfel. However, the owner added that he wants to secure the Bradley Center for the "next several years."
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Bucks May Shop Ellis, Jennings, Gooden

March 20th, 2012 at 5:49pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Bucks just made a major trade at the deadline to acquire Monta Ellis, and they may not be done dealing, according to a Western Conference executive who talked to Alex Raskin of HoopsWorld.

The unnamed exec characterizes the Bucks as being in a "win now" situation, and if they fall short of expectations (likely by missing the playoffs), GM John Hammond will look to deal Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings or Drew Gooden this summer.

They're the three players with the highest scoring averages on the team this year, and Raskin identifies all of them as tradeable assets. Only Ellis, who makes $11MM a year through 2013/14, earns more than $10MM annually, and he plays shooting guard, where talent is at a premium right now, Raskin notes. Gooden, 30, is the oldest of the bunch but is putting up a career-high 14.5 PPG.

This could be wishful thinking by a front-office type who'd like to see those guys on the market. I think it would be premature to drastically alter the team when they'd have less than two months to show what they can do together. Milwaukee has never been a destination for top free agents, and with young assets on generally favorable contracts, Hammond might be wise to demonstrate a little patience here. 

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Amick’s Latest: Jennings, Evans, Knicks, Jackson

March 14th, 2012 at 9:31am CST by Luke Adams

Sam Amick of SI.com explores a few trade deadline topics in his latest column. Here are the highlights:

  • The Bucks have taken Brandon Jennings off the trade block, as we heard yesterday, telling Jennings' camp that he remains part of the team's future plans. Before Milwaukee made Jennings unavailable, the Hornets were interested in acquiring the young point guard to pair him with Eric Gordon.
  • Before they dealt Monta Ellis to Milwaukee, the Warriors made multiple inquiries on Tyreke Evans. Golden State was prepared to discuss a deal that would've sent Ellis to the Kings, says Amick.
  • Following up on reports of turmoil in New York, Amick hears divided opinions from sources close to the situation — some feel a coaching change is necessary for the Knicks, while others feel the onus is on Carmelo Anthony to adjust to Mike D'Antoni's system. Sources close to Jerry Sloan tell Amick that the former Jazz coach may be interested in coaching the Knicks if the position opens up.
  • Traded players have 48 hours to report to their new teams and pass physicals, which means the Warriors may not have much of a window if they hope to flip Stephen Jackson to another team before the deadline.
  • Amick also had a Dwight Howard update, which we covered here.
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Brandon Jennings Unavailable Via Trade

March 13th, 2012 at 4:01pm CST by Luke Adams

4:01pm: A source tells Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld definitively that Jennings is unavailable and won't be dealt this week.

7:57am: SI.com's Sam Amick reported yesterday that Brandon Jennings was available "for the right price," and HoopsWorld reports that if Andrew Bogut is dealt, Milwaukee may move Jennings next. However, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link) hears from a source close to the situation that the Bucks don't intend to trade the 22-year-old.

Jennings created a bit of a stir last month when he told ESPN.com he intended to explore all his options at the end of his rookie contract, and that he'd been doing his homework on big markets. According to Amick, the comments irked some Bucks officials. The timing was particularly odd, since the third-year guard wouldn't be eligible for unrestricted free agency until, at the very earliest, the summer of 2014.

Despite Jennings' questionable PR tactics and his underwhelming .386 career FG%, he represents one of the Bucks' strongest assets, with an extremely affordable $2.49MM cap figure this year and $3.18MM for 2012/13. Even if the Bucks were considering moving the former tenth overall pick, it would take a pretty impressive package to pry him from Milwaukee.

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Andrew Bogut Rumors: Tuesday

March 13th, 2012 at 9:50am CST by Luke Adams

Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported last night that the Rockets, Warriors, and Wizards were all pursuing an acquisition of Andrew Bogut. The Rockets have since backed off, according to Berger, but the Bucks still seem to be talking Bogut, with a decision on the big man potentially affecting Brandon Jennings' future as well. Let's track today's Bogut updates here, with the newest items up top:

  • Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld explains that Jennings' future could be tied to Bogut's because one offer for Bogut has the Bucks getting a "solid" point guard in return. However, Milwaukee is asking a lot for both players, and most teams aren't interested at the Bucks' price (Twitter links).
  • The Warriors aren't expecting to make a blockbuster deal this week, reports Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group. While Golden State is considering making a play for Bogut, his ankle injury and the potential inclusion of Stephen Jackson in any deal diminishes the Warriors' interest.
  • Berger's Bogut-to-the-Warriors scenario had Monta Ellis heading out of Golden State in any deal, but Thompson and Peter Vecsey of the New York Post both suggest that may not be the case. Thompson says the Warriors still don't want to trade Ellis for anyone besides Dwight Howard, while Vecsey says it's Stephen Curry, not Ellis, who is being discussed in a potential Bogut trade.
  • Meanwhile, a source tells Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (Twitter link) that the rumored Warriors/Bucks/Magic talks never even took place.
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Odds & Ends: Sixers, Martin, Jennings

March 12th, 2012 at 8:47pm CST by Michael Pina

Sixers president Rod Thorn says Philadelphia will likely be quiet at the trade deadline, according to the Philadelphia Daily News’ Bob Cooney. When you combine Evan Turner‘s recent transformation into a serious impact starter with the eventual return of injured center Spencer Hawes, who was playing the best basketball of his career before going down, the 76ers aren’t exactly in a position of need. Any trade could screw up one of the league’s most symbiotic rosters. 

  • Rockets guard Kevin Martin says he’s frustrated with his up and down play as of late, and knows it could be the difference as to what team he’s on by the end of March, according to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. The loss of Kyle Lowry, who’s out at least two weeks with a bacterial infection, may have an impact on whether or not the Rockets choose to move Martin. If they want to make the playoffs this year, they can’t afford to remove their starting backcourt from the equation and expect to compete on a nightly basis.  
  • Brandon Jennings appears to be flustered by an SI report earlier this week that said he was available “for the right price.” 
  • In a column over at Hoopsworld.com, Joel Brigham says that Dwight Howard should be dealt to Chicago, but the Bulls will never pull the trigger. In the piece, Brigham criticizes Chicago for over-valuing its homegrown talent.  He cites the team’s refusal to go after Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett in year’s past as evidence that it’s unlikely they’ll make a rightful run at Howard before Thursday’s deadline. 
  • ESPNBoston.com’s Chris Forsberg tweets some interesting words from Celtics GM Danny Ainge says “there’s nothing going on right now” and that “we need another big body for sure, at some point.” The words seem to mean that if Boston doesn’t swing a deal before the deadline, they’ll either pursue someone from the D-league or a bought out player. Injuries to Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox have depleted the team’s front court.
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Amick On Jennings, Bogut, Batum, Rockets

March 12th, 2012 at 12:26pm CST by Luke Adams

Sam Amick of SI.com has a few updates on this week's trade candidates, so let's dive in….

  • Brandon Jennings could be had "for the right price." Long considered a franchise cornerstone, Jennings irked some Bucks officials with his comments last month about exploring free agency.
  • Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle hears from Warriors sources that reports of Golden State's interest in Andrew Bogut are "nothing more than hype." However, sources tell Amick that the team's interest is real. The Wizards also inquired on Bogut, but talks went nowhere, says Amick. The Rockets aren't thought to be involved on the Bucks' center.
  • Amick goes on to say that the Bucks feel this may not be the best time to get full value for Bogut, considering he's still on the shelf for a few weeks with a fractured ankle.
  • The Blazers may be active this week, but they don't intend to move Nicolas Batum, who they are determined to keep long-term.
  • Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger, Jonny Flynn, and Terrence Williams are among the Rockets who would "likely welcome a trade," according to Amick. Goran Dragic is also a trade candidate, since he's not expected to be re-signed this summer. Though I'd imagine Houston will be more inclined to keep Dragic with Kyle Lowry's return date up in the air.
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Stein On Kaman, Andersen, Jennings, Smith

February 17th, 2012 at 4:17pm CST by Luke Adams

In this week's installment of his Weekend Dime, ESPN.com's Marc Stein names his picks for the NBA's first-half awards. LeBron James and Chris Paul highlight the list as the East and West MVPs, respectively, while Jeremy Lin makes an appearance as the league's Most Improved Player.

After making his choices for the pre-All-Star awards, Stein also shares a few notes on the trade market, so let's round up the highlights:

  • Chris Kaman is a "near lock" to be dealt by March 15th. This isn't good news for the Heat, who were hoping to pursue Kaman if the Hornets bought out his contract after the trade deadline, but it's not a surprise — Kaman has some value and it sounds like there are teams with interest.
  • Chris Andersen has received increased minutes lately with Nene Hilario and Timofey Mozgov out of action, but the Nuggets are open to dealing the Birdman. Any potential trade partner would have to take on the two years and $9MM+ that will still remain on Andersen's contract after this season.
  • Brandon Jennings' comments last week about eventually exploring his free agent options haven't altered the Bucks' perception of him as a franchise cornerstone. According to Stein, Jennings' comments "struck many observers as an ill-conceived frustration rant" after the Bucks guard wasn't named to the Eastern All-Stars.
  • While J.R. Smith will receive the full amount the Knicks have left on their mini mid-level exception (approximately $2.38MM), his 2011/12 NBA earnings will only work out to about $1.92MM due to the lockout pro-ration.
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Bucks Rumors: Jackson, Skiles, Fesenko

February 17th, 2012 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few Bucks updates, as Milwaukee tries to snap a three-game losing streak tonight in Orlando….

  • It's "a given" that the Bucks will try to deal Stephen Jackson before the trade deadline, but the $10MM+ he's guaranteed next year won't make it easy, says Gery Woefel of the Racine Journal Times.
  • Woelfel spoke to NBA officials who believe Jackson could be moved if he were part of a package that included a player like Ersan Ilyasova or Brandon Jennings. Ilyasova, I could see, but I'd be pretty shocked if the Bucks traded Jennings.
  • Jackson's relationship with coach Scott Skiles is one reason the Bucks will try to find a suitor for the 6'8" shooter. According to Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, the two have had "numerous run-ins" relating to Jackson's professionalism and impact on young players.
  • Jackson on Skiles, in an interview with Milwaukee's NBC affiliate: "We don't have no relationship like I've had with other coaches and I don't expect to have one. Too much stuff has happened."
  • Within Woelfel's column for the Journal Times, he notes that the Bucks hope to set up a meeting with free agent big man Kyrylo Fesenko next week. The Heat, Bulls, and Hawks are also showing interest in Fesenko, says Woelfel.
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Odds & Ends: Jennings, Deng, Spurs

February 10th, 2012 at 11:06pm CST by Chuck Myron

On this date last year, Jerry Sloan stepped down after 23 seasons as coach of the Jazz. Earlier today we passed along the news that at least six teams are trying to convince Sloan to come back to the bench. Here are some more tidbits from around the league today:

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