D-League Prospects For The Milwaukee Bucks To Consider

Jan 27, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts after being fouled during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena. The Bucks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

This is a different age in the NBA. The league may not yet have reached a stage where the D-League reflects a genuine minor league system as seen in baseball, but recent indications are proving that it’s become a greater breeding ground for talent than ever before.

Take Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat as the prime example.

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With the Bucks plagued by injuries this season, could the D-League become a bigger factor in their plans?

The Bucks are currently using an exemption that lets them sign a player while Larry Sanders is suspended. Milwaukee has put that to use by calling up Jorge Gutierrez from the D-League’s Canton Charge.

The early signs have been positive, if brief, from Gutierrez, but that doesn’t mean that the Bucks still won’t have big decisions to make.

In order to keep Gutierrez or a different D-League player longer term, they would have to cut someone. The leading candidate is Johnny O’Bryant or a buyout of Larry Sanders. However a hardship-exception is possible if another unlucky injury were to plague the Bucks this year.

If Gutierrez doesn’t work out, there are other options worth the team’s consideration though.

Between players still in the D-League, and players currently in the NBA on ten-day contracts, let assess Milwaukee’s options.

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