Milwaukee Bucks: 6 low-cost centers to target at the trade deadline
By Adam McGee
Tyler Zeller
After 33 straight starts, the Brooklyn Nets recently benched veteran big man Tyler Zeller as they shifted their emphasis to young big men Jahlil Okafor and Jarrett Allen.
Speaking of the change to the New York Post, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson noted:
"“Tyler’s been really good for us, solid. I’ve been doing it, but it’s not easy playing three centers. At some point — and not saying Tyler’s out of the rotation — but just finding that when we play two guys they get decent minutes, and also gets [Quincy Acy] at the five a little bit, which is some of our best lineups, honestly.”"
With the Nets continuing their rebuild and shift toward youth, that move leaves little doubt that the Nets would be happy to part with the 28-year-old center in exchange for a piece that could have a longer term role in Brooklyn.
Zeller is owed $1.9 million for next season, but that amount is unguaranteed. With averages of 7.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while shooting 54.6 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from deep, Zeller could certainly offer solid minutes as a backup in the coming months, and beyond that his contract is a positive to have an option on.
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He’s not a glamorous option by any means, but the Bucks could really do with an experienced, reliable big body inside, and Zeller certainly fits that bill.