Milwaukee Bucks Exploring Multiple Avenues To Improve

As the clock ticks down to Thursday’s NBA Draft, and with the opening exchanges of free agency now a little over a week away, it’s decision time for the Milwaukee Bucks and their front office.

For a talented young team already making great strides forward, the next few weeks hold the potential to see them jump into a different stratosphere. If the team’s decision-makers can make the right calls that is.

What exactly is the team’s thought process though? How are they planning on approaching the next month or so? It’s not often that you get any real insight into questions as probing and direct as that, as NBA teams like to keep their cards close to their chest.

Although we may not know the specifics just yet, a series of quotes that emerged yesterday from key figures in those decision-making processes at least offers us an inkling of the directions the Bucks may choose to go in.

General manager John Hammond and head of scouting Billy McKinney both spoke to the media yesterday, and the overwhelming impression that came across from both men was the fact that nothing is off the table, and they’re prepared to do what they have to to make the current Bucks roster better.

Hammond spoke to this effect explaining that the team will explore all of their options when considering what’s best for the team:

"We as a team, we’re trying to improve. We’re going to try and improve through free agency this summer potentially, possibly. We’re going to try and improve maybe through a trade–maybe something could be there for us. The draft is still very important to us because of the type of team we have. We’re talking about still building here, we’re trying to build towards a championship contending team that you want your draft picks to be a part of."

That process effectively starts with making some decisions on existing holdovers too though, as McKinney explained in conversation with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Charles Gardner:

"We have 16 players on our roster right now so we’re going to have to make some roster adjustments prior to the season starting."

The most obvious adjustments straight off would be for Caron Butler and Shawne Williams who came to Milwaukee as part of the Ersan Ilyasova trade to be waived to clear cap space. Another move that could be likely is to cut Jorge Gutierrez and his non-guaranteed contract.

With the Bucks putting a strong emphasis on free agency, roster spaces seem top priority right now, as an interesting tidbit picked up from Hammond, by Brew Hoop’s Eric Buenning, in regards to the Bucks’ second round pick indicates:

"We’ll look at 46 and see if there’s an opportunity. Maybe there’s an international player that we can draft that might have an interest in staying overseas for a couple years. Maybe we move the pick–all kinds of opportunities we’ll be looking to explore with 46."

The idea of stashing a second-rounder overseas further supports the rumors that the Bucks are prepared to at least make a run at a couple of high-profile free agents, but as Hammond admits there’s no guarantee that that will lead to anything from there.

"Free agency is tough. We do have significant cap room, but it’s a two way street. No matter how [much] we like the guy, the guy’s got to like us back. He’s go to want to be here."

McKinney goes along with that way of thinking too, and it’s in that regard that the draft remains an important part of the picture for Milwaukee.

"You might target some players you might not get (in free agency). If you can fill that need in the draft, that’s also a positive thing.Nothing is guaranteed until they agree to the deal and sign it. So we’re kind of juggling a lot of balls right now and preparing for free agency."

Hammond stated that the Bucks also have a shortlist in the works for draft night, and that the focus is still going to be on taking the best talent rather than a plug in fit:

"For us at 17 we’re still looking at best player on the board. I don’t think we’re going to talk about need as much as best player.We’re probably looking at, at 17, a grouping of maybe four players, five max, guys who we’ve kind of zeroed in on thinking that one of those guys could be there at 17 and we’re excited about that player."

The rumor mill can now begin to whirl as to who those four or five guys could be, but based on players who the Bucks have worked out recently, it would seem likely that if available Milwaukee’s pick will come from one of Bobby Portis, Kevon Looney, R.J. Hunter, Montrezl Harrell and Jerian Grant.

One thing that we know for sure is that it’s going to be an active an exciting few weeks for Bucks fans.

Next: BTBP Mock NBA Draft: Editor's Edition

More from Behind the Buck Pass

Home/Bucks News