Official Milwaukee Bucks Thread

[Slamduncan]

Gerald Wallace is going to be a FA this summer, so does anyone else think we should pick him up?

[---]

I believe thats only if he opts out of his contract. I think he will probably stay in Charlotte because he is a star on that team and a healthy Bobcats squad next year could make the playoffs. Charlotte gave him a chance when the Kings wouldn't so I think he would stay.

[Matt]

but why pay a guy millions (which is what he'll demand) when your team isn't even close to having all the right pieces yet?

[Its_asdf]

I think the Bucks should deal out Simmons' monstrous contract if they were to acquire Wallace, but Wallace's slashing game would be a pretty good compliment to Redd's shooting.

[Andrew]

but why pay a guy millions (which is what he'll demand) when your team isn't even close to having all the right pieces yet?

It's pretty hard to accumulate those pieces if you make a habit of letting them walk out the door.

[TSquared]

andrew's right..its hard if u keep letting them go rather than letting them stay and develop to a better player piece..

[Ty-Land]

I just can't see the Bucks holding onto Mo Williams, Bell and Ilyasova, and then signing Wallace. It would cripple the teams finances, especially with Gadz's big contract and Simmons' huge one. With a high draft pick, the return of Bobby, development of Bogut, CV, Mo, Noel, Ersan and Markota the team will move forward. Add a Oden, Durant, Horford or Conley to that mix and you've got a playoff team if they stay healthy.

This is not to say I wouldn't love Wallace on the team, I just think the cost (financially and to future cap space) would be too high. We do definitely need to get a defensive wing, maybe somebody like Dahtay Jones or Pietrus. That is presuming we let Ruben Patterson walk (or sign and trade), as I believe he will ask for too much.

[Slamduncan]

Desmond Mason wants to come back

[Ty-Land]

Heard that actually. If we can get him on the cheap it would be great. Back up Simmons and Redd, provide some veteran leadership, hustle D and a nice spark off the bench. Then we can let Patterson go, or sign and trade him to the Knicks

[Ty-Land]

Fuck.

Worst possible draft outcome. Players we have to seriously consider now: Noah, Conley, Brewer and Yi. Still will help the team, but not a franchise changer.

At this stage I hope we get Conley, and as a result sign and trade Mo for a defensive PF.

[---]

Don't dispair Bucks fans. You guys obviously didn't get the lottery to go your way, leaving you with the 6th pick. The Bucks needs are mostly at PG, hoever Conley will probably be gone at 3 with the Hawks knowing teams like Milwaukee and Sacramento are after his services. The next best point guards are Acie Law and Javaris Crittenton, with Law expected to go mid first and Crittenton mid-late first, so no point wasting the 6th pick on one of them unless they trade down.

A big man would be a good choice, but personally I think the draft will go:

1. Portland - Greg Oden
2. Seattle - Kevin Durant
3. Atlanta - Mike Conley Jr
4. Memphis - Brandan Wright
5. Boston - Yi Jianlian

That leaves the next best big man prospects being Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes. The sixth pick is too high for both Hawes and Hibbert, Joakim is a gamble and Al Horford is solid - not spectacular.

Would you like to see the Bucks take Thaddeus Young?

The guy was a consensus top 5 pick before struggling as a freshman with Georgia Tech, but still put up 14 points along with 5 boards and 2 assists. He shoots a high percentage (48%), shoots the 3 very well (41%) and has long arms to add to his 6-8, 6-9 frame. He's a real talent that has been overlooked with Georgia Tech's tough season and the emergence of fellow freshman Javaris Crittenton.

His potential is up near that of a Marvin Williams. Had the 'No HS to NBA' rule not be imposed, he would of gone top 5, no doubt. Personally I think the guy is worthy of a high lottery pick and his solid but not spectacular freshman season was a result of him adjusting. If he stays in school, I wouldn't be suprised if he's putting up 22 points, 7 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals a game. That being said, while alot of people have forgot about him I don't think the NBA GM's have and he won't drop further than 10. Too much of a talent.

He could backup Bobby Simmons in his rookie season and be one hell of a 6th man for this Bucks team. Could probably make a similar impact to Ben Gordon in his rookie season. The Bucks only have one pick in the draft so why not go best player available?

I would take Young over both Horford and Noah, even Brewer. Thaddeus can play down low and outside, he's very versatile.

That would give the Bucks:

C - Andrew Bogut
PF - Charlie Villanueva
SF - Bobby Simmons
SG - Michael Redd
PG - Mo Williams/Free Agent
----------------------------------
6th - Thaddeus Young
7th - Ruben Patterson
8th - Earl Boykins

That's a playoff team quite easily so long as the health holds up, not to mention the chance of re aquiring Desmond Mason who once put up great numbers for the Bucks.

To help them unload Mo Williams and/or get a big man, they could trade down a few spots (8, 9, 10) and try get Thaddeus there, although its risky with Minnesota needing a SF and Charlotte looking for some perimeter scoring (I also think MJ would really like Thaddeus, especially at the 8 spot).

[Ty-Land]

Well Larry Harris has come out and said we will take the best player available. Which, in my view and going by the teams off season objectives, will be whoever is remaining out of Horford, Conley, Wright and Brewer.

How the draft unfolds will greatly affect the remainder of the offseason. Firstly, Boykins will hopefully opt out. Don't think he wants to be a third string point guard and Coach K will limit his minutes because he is a defensive liability. Secondly, I don't think we resign Ruben because he will ask for too much after a quality season and the fact Ilyasova is ready to step into the rotation at 3/4. If the price isn't extreme and he is resigned to playing off the bench then maybe we keep him. Resigning Skinner is dependent on whether we draft a big, but regardless he wouldn't be too bad at the veteran min.

If we draft Conley then I think we let Mo go. Play Bell at the point until Conley is ready.
If we draft Brewer, we keep Mo, resign Bell and Ilyasova, sign Skinner to vet minmum and say goodbye to Patterson
If we draft Horford, we try to keep Patterson on the cheap or go after Pietrus or Dahtay Jones, and hold onto Mo, Bell and Ersan (possibly Skinner as a back-up)
If we draft Wright, essentially as above but trade for a tough back-up big (maybe poach Magloire from Portland)

Either way it makes the offseason interesting. I would be happy with Conley, Horford and Brewer. Not too sure about Yi at this stage (waiting on more workout feedback), have big doubts about Wright (no doubt has potential but does he have the ethic - also poor rebounder for his size) and Noah (how will his game work in the NBA, can he present anything offensively, how great a risk is he?).

[Indy]

I think Corey Brewer would be an excellent fit for Milwaukee.

[Ty-Land]

I think Corey Brewer would be an excellent fit for Milwaukee.

Heck, anybody that can play a lick of D would be good. CV, Redd and Mo aren't that solid down that end.

[Matt]

or anyone else aside from Skinner & Patterson. Bucks need a big man to lock down the paint

[Its_asdf]

The guy was a consensus top 5 pick before struggling as a freshman with Georgia Tech, but still put up 14 points along with 5 boards and 2 assists. He shoots a high percentage (48%), shoots the 3 very well (41%) and has long arms to add to his 6-8, 6-9 frame. He's a real talent that has been overlooked with Georgia Tech's tough season and the emergence of fellow freshman Javaris Crittenton.

His potential is up near that of a Marvin Williams. Had the 'No HS to NBA' rule not be imposed, he would of gone top 5, no doubt. Personally I think the guy is worthy of a high lottery pick and his solid but not spectacular freshman season was a result of him adjusting. If he stays in school, I wouldn't be suprised if he's putting up 22 points, 7 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals a game. That being said, while alot of people have forgot about him I don't think the NBA GM's have and he won't drop further than 10. Too much of a talent.

He could backup Bobby Simmons in his rookie season and be one hell of a 6th man for this Bucks team. Could probably make a similar impact to Ben Gordon in his rookie season. The Bucks only have one pick in the draft so why not go best player available?

It is incredible how much we love the same players. You must be my long lost twin or something.

I'm also hoping for the Raptors to possibly acquire a mid-first rounder to get Young since Peterson is most likely gone after this season and Graham hasn't really worked out. Plus, Young is a leftie.

By the way, where on earth is Bobby Simmons? After his MIP year with the Clips and his contract with the Bucks he sort of disappeared off the face of the planet with injuries. Are the Bucks willing to shop him around?

[shadowgrin]

It is incredible how much we love the same players. You must be my long lost twin or something.

Or his stalker.

[The X]

definitely Brewer to Bucks....otherwise, I'd go Al Horford....then Brandan Wright....

[Ty-Land]

By the way, where on earth is Bobby Simmons? After his MIP year with the Clips and his contract with the Bucks he sort of disappeared off the face of the planet with injuries. Are the Bucks willing to shop him around?

Recovering from a major foot operation. Had bone spurs removed and another operation to correct plantar faciatis. Should be hopefully 100% before the summer league. But since the Bucks signed him he has been like a poor mans Grant Hill if you catch my drift.

With the draft, I'm starting to think B. Wright, Horford or Brewer are the 3 goals. If we get Wright, sign a swing like Pietrus and pick up someone like Newley in the second round it will be a good offseason.

Depth would be:

PG - Williams/Bell/Greer
SG - Redd/Pietrus/Bell/Newley
SF - Simmons/Pietrus/Ilyasova/Noel
PF - Villanueva/Wright/Skinner/Ilyasova/Markota
C - Bogut/Gadzuric/Skinner

With improved D and a simplified offensive scheme that is a playoff team in the East. With continued development plus another draft it could be a quality squad in the next 2 years.

[-Young Buck-]

Any chance of the Bucks landing Gerald Wallace? He seems to be a defensive type that we need. Or even Rashard Lewis....?

[The X]

I think they need a defensive minded swingman....whether that be through draft (Brewer) or through free agency (Wallace or Pietrus is cheaper option)....

I also think they need some more tougness inside, if they got Horford, at times they could play Bogut, Horford & Villanueva in the frontline....or if they want to go smaller & quicker, Horford, Villanueva & swingman at SF....

[Its_asdf]

Pietrus is a "defensive-minded" player as in he puts his heart out in that area, but that doesn't mean that it will equate to an upgrade defensively. His basketball I.Q. is something that will definitely drive any coach nuts, and he has a tendency to want the ball a little too much which can result in ticky-tack reach in fouls.

[Ty-Land]

Well ideally Simmons returns from injury to some good form. That will sure up the SF position, and he was an above average defender.

The Bucks biggest needs are perimeter D, shot blocking and rebounding. Brewer, Horford and Noah can fill those roles. Noah is really starting to grow on me. Good defender at 4/5, solid passer, brings shot blocking and energy, decent athlete. We don't need another player that needs touches on offense. With Redd, CV, Mo and Bogut we should score enough points. We need contributors on the other end. Bell is a solid defender, Skinner is above average, Ruben is solid. Another defender like the 3 rookies above, plus the improved D strategies by Coach K, plus the development of Bogut, CV, Ilyasoya, Noel etc. this should be a 5-8 playoff seed team next year. If we can pick up Pietrus or Mo Pete with the MLE, we have a solid all round squad.

[Ty-Land]

Ok, so here's my thoughts on the draft a week or so later.

I would be really happy with Horford, Brewer or Conley. If we get one of those 3 I will be relieved and have a positive outlook to the season. I'm impartial to Noah, Jeff Green and Julian Wright. The latter 2 are really growing on me. These 3 definitely fill needs on the defensive end and can play a few positions. I have huge doubts on Yi, I honestly don't know what we would be getting. What skills he is touted to possess sound like another CV, which we don't need. One is enough. We need a defensive presence not another offensive player. If we draft B. Wright I will cry. This guy has little shooting touch, is a poor rebounder, is weak as piss and a poor BBall IQ. Sounds like Tim Thomas that can't shoot, and I don't want anything to do with him.

In a way I'm hoping for Conley as he would shake the whole team up a bit. We could let Mo walk or S&T, offer Wallace, Varejao etc. decent contracts, and we would improve our perimetre D. The loss of Mo would hurt, but I honestly believe we have to many scorers on the team as is, and we need to sacrifice to upgrade on D.

Best Case Scenario:

PG Conley - Bell - Greer
SG Redd - UFA - Bell - 2nd Round
SF Wallace - Simmons - Ilyasova - Noel
PF CV - Varejao - Skinner - Ilyasova - Markota
C Bogut - Gadzuric - Varejao - Skinner

If we go Horford I would be a happy camper as well. He would complement our front court very well, and provide us with depth for a playoff push next season. We could keep Mo, give the MLE to Mo Pete and try and steal Amir Johnston from the Pistons.

Outlook
PG Mo - Bell - Greer
SG Redd - MoPete - Bell
SF Simmons - MoPete - Ilyasova - Noel
PF CV - Horford - Ilyasova - Johnston - Markota
C Bogut - Gadzuric - Horford

Both those outcomes would improve defence and rebounding, and not change the core to drastically. Fingers cross they come true

[-Young Buck-]

With the 6th pick in the 2007 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select...???

Who do you think will be taken here?
We already know Oden and Durant will be gone with the first two picks. After that its up in the air.

I would like to see them pick Brandon Wright, or Al Harford. They seem like they would help out the bucks well. If they are gone pick up Brewer, Yi Jianlian, or Mike Conley. Personally it would be great to get B-Wright, but i dont think he will be there at 6. If we could get Conley, he could turn out to be our version of tony parker. Add in Redd, and Bogut and we have a young spurs trio? Okay i know Bogut isnt Duncan, but he does have good fundamentals, if the offence would give him more touches i think he would be more of an effective player. I think we could trade Charlie V, or use him in a way that the spurs use Oberto. Get him easy baskets around the rim. Well lets worry about the rookie first, then maybe signing a good free agent.