Continuing on in this series of Draft breakdowns brings me up to the Milwaukee Bucks. They have some nice talent, but they could lose a lot of it this summer through free agency.
With Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva headlining their likely free agent departures who will the Bucks turn to in the draft?
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2009 Free Agents
- Ersan Ilyasova (Restricted)
- Ramon Sessions (Restricted)
- Charlie Villanueva (Restricted)
- Malik Allen (Player Option - Unrestricted)
- Francisco Elson (Player Option - Unrestricted)
- Keith Bogans (Unrestricted)
- Damon Jones (Unrestricted)
Sessions and Villanueva should be their biggest targets to bring back, but I'm not sure they could keep both. Again, for the sake of this breakdown, I am assuming that they don't re-sign any of their free agents and the players with options don't pick them up.
Depth Chart (Pre-Draft)
PG: Luke Ridnour
SG: Michael Redd - Charlie Bell
SF: Richard Jefferson - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - Joe Alexander
PF:
C: Andrew Bogut - Dan Gadzuric
Draft Picks (Mock Picks)
- 10th overall - Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona - Hill is strong and athletic, but his game isn't fully developed yet. With some offensive polishing and a little smarter play on defense, Hill could be a very solid pick for this team.
- 41st overall - Victor Claver, PF, Spain - Claver gives the Bucks another big body, but they gain the convenience of leaving him a year or two overseas and letting him develop a little more. Has decent range, but needs to add strength.
Depth Chart (Post-Draft)
PG: Luke Ridnour
SG: Michael Redd - Charlie Bell
SF: Richard Jefferson - Joe Alexander
PF: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute - Jordan Hill - Victor Claver
C: Andrew Bogut - Dan Gadzuric
Players on Trade Block
- Richard Jefferson
- Michael Redd
It really depends on what direction the Bucks feel like they are going. Both Redd and Jefferson have early termination options after next season, so they could be very attractive pieces for some teams. Expect a king's ransom back if the Bucks are to part with either of these players.
Final Analysis
I just can't put my finger on it, but something about this club is always off. They have talent all over their roster, but they can never really put it all together and push for the playoffs. I am going to say that they miss the playoffs again this year.
Comments
The more I look at this team, I think maybe they can make the playoffs...if healthy.
Redd and Jefferson have a lot of firepower between them and Bogut is solid in the middle.
If Joe Alexander can live up to his hype then this team could be comparable to the Hawks the last two seasons.
All big IFs, but not out of reach.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Injuries have always kept them back.....at least that's what happened last year. Skiles will keep them in contention.