Open Look: Milwaukee Bucks

Open Look: Milwaukee Bucks

--The Milwaukee Bucks have decided to completely rebuild the philosophy of their organization when they hired John Hammond as GM and Scott Skiles has Coach. They will replace the Two Larry’s (Harris, the GM, and Krystkowiak, the Coach).

--John Hammond is formerly from Detroit and Scott Skiles is formerly from Chicago. Skiles was brought in to shore up the pitiful Defense that the Bucks exhibited last season as they plummeted to a 26-56 record. They finished 23rd in Points-Allowed and 29th in Opp-FG%.

(1) Sign PF Kurt Thomas to a 2-year/8-million dollar contract: The Bucks were a terrible rebounding team last season. They had no legitimate “power” forward, starting smalls like Charlie Villaneuva, Yi Jianlian, and Bobby Simmons. Thomas would bring a veteran presence in the post and he would help Bogut on the boards. He can give you 25 MPG, 7.5 PPG, and 5.5 RPG.

(2) Keep the Existing Roster Intact for the start of the 08-09 Season: I examined their trade pieces, and I came up with Simmons, Villaneuva, and Desmond Mason. Mason and Villaneuva come off the books after next season, so they may be more valuable as an in-season trade than an off-season trade. Simmons contract is hard to move. Sure, I had him going to New York for Q. Richardson and N. Robinson in my earlier Open Look, and I found a possibility by trading him straight-up for Troy Murphy of the Indiana Pacers, but, overall, they should keep him, for now…

(3) Make the Starting Small Forward Position an Open Competition: Skiles should make them work for it, who plays better D, who is a better ball distributor, who fits Skiles’ system. All of this should be brought into consideration. The Bucks have Simmons, Villaneuva, Yi, and Desmond Mason. See who wins out. Who wants it more. Make all 4 smalls earn their minutes.

(4) Install PG Ramon Sessions as Mo Williams’ backup, for now: Ramon Sessions dazzled the NBA in the last month of the season by averaging 13.1 APG in 7 starts. That’s amazing for a late-second-round draft pick. Mo was signed for a long-term contract and they are committed to him, at least until Sessions can supplant him as the starting point…

(5) Draft PF Kevin Love with the #7 pick in the 2008 NBA Draft: The Bucks should ignore Anthony Randolph, who is a 3 with size, they have that already. They should draft a legit PF who has some pretty good upside. They will start Kurt Thomas but Love can come in and learn, he can spell Thomas and Bogut. He is a great passer for a big man and he could develop into a Brad Miller-type all-around baller.

(6) Watch the Next 4 Players Closely: Bogut, Yi, Sessions, and Villaneuva all have expiring contracts at the end of next season. This should be a make-or-break for these guys. If Bogut doesn’t pan out, shop him, if Villaneuva doesn’t play D, shop him, if Yi is a bust, wash your hands, and if Sessions was a one-month wonder, sayonara!

2008 Potential Depth Chart

PG M. Williams R. Sessions
SG M. Redd D. Mason C. Bell
SF C. Villaneuva Yi Jianlian B. Simmons
PF K. Thomas K. Love
C A. Bogut D. Gadzuric

Depth Outlook

--Put the ball in Michael Redd’s hands as much as possible. He is the go-to guy. He is the star of the team. He’s has to play spirited defense and lead by example to get his team out of the doldrums. The Central has two powerhouses in Detroit and Cleveland. Then, Chicago and Indiana are still there. The Bucks have some serious competition.

--Small forward open competition: see above.

--Groom Kevin Love as the starting power forward. Sure, with Love and Bogut on the court, they are a slower team. But they could dominate down low and the Bucks need to hope that they can combine an average of 25/20 to give other teams fits on the block.

--See if Yi pans out. Give him every opportunity to succeed. If he doesn’t pan out, then seek a trade and move-on.

Cap Outlook

--The expiring contracts of: Royal Ivey (770,610), Michael Ruffin (770,610), Awvee Storey (770,610), and Jake Voskuhl (3,000,000) come off the books this season. T

--They are currently 8,018, 469 OVER the cap. These 4 contracts will give them a relief of 5,311,830. They will still be 2,706,639 OVER.

Franchise Outlook

--Year Zero/One: See above.
--Year One: Make the Bucks a competitive, night-in-night-out defensive-minded basketball team modeled after Scott Skiles. Spit out and pits that don’t fit into the watermelon and aim for 35 wins and a possible playoff berth.
--Year Two: With Bogut, Villaneuva, Yi, and Mason coming off the books, the Bucks will have some Cap Flex for the 09 Free Agents. Stay competitive, aim for the playoffs as a season-long goal.
--Year Three: Become a perennial playoff team and win a first-round matchup.
--Year Four: Attempt to supplant the Pistons/Cavaliers as the Central powerhouse and make a deep-run into the Eastern Conference.