Milwaukee Bucks: Grades for Ersan Ilyasova’s three-year, $21 million deal

Fit

Many will be quick to criticize the Bucks for a move that has uncomfortable elements of nostalgia — a discussion that wouldn’t be anywhere near as valid if not for the bizarre return of Brandon Jennings last season and the potentially even more bizarre decision to guarantee his contract for next year — and for investing in a player whose prime years are likely behind him.

What’s important to note in opposition to that, though, is there’s a new coaching staff in Milwaukee with no connection to that previous era, and their own experience with Ilyasova has made him a favorite of theirs for entirely different reasons.

Like he’s probably done in most of his landing spots over the last few years, Ilyasova endeared himself to Mike Budenholzer and his assistants in Atlanta with his intelligent play.

Speaking when the Hawks acquired Ilyasova at the trade deadline back in 2017, Budenholzer noted:

"“I think he’s a smart player, a competitive guy. He does a lot of little things. He has an edge to him. Obviously he can shoot.”"

A couple of weeks later, having had the chance to coach Ilyasova, Budenholzer made further comments on Ilyasova’s defensive value which could be incredibly relevant to his return to Milwaukee.

"“He has that high I.Q. on defense where he sees things happening a little bit quicker,” Hawks Coach Mike Budenholzer said, “and he’s willing to put his body on the line.”"

Budenholzer has made no secret of his desire to reshape the Bucks as a defensive force first and foremost, and in that respect the addition of a veteran defender who he respects, has comfort working with, and who he can perform well in his schemes makes perfect sense.

Considering their over-aggressive and frequently reckless tendencies on that end of the floor in recent years, a young Bucks roster will certainly have some bad habits to shake off, and Ilyasova would seem like an ideal candidate to help them in doing so.

In a profile focused on his defense and his famed charge-taking ability for the New York Times, Scott Cacciola detailed Ilyasova’s diligence, and perhaps laid out a Hawks’ defensive philosophy that Budenholzer may look to transfer to Milwaukee.

"“None of this happens by accident. Ilyasova studies game film and scouting reports. He knows which players tend to go to their left after they pump fake. And he knows which players are poor outside shooters, giving him the leeway to back off and bait them into driving. He can usually sense where they want to go. His job is to get there first. ‘It’s all about anticipation,’ said Ilyasova, who was traded to the Hawks in February by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Hawks use an acronym at practice: MIG, which stands for Most Important Guy. That guy is the baseline defender responsible for offering help if one of his teammates is beaten off the dribble. The coaching staff wants the players who are least likely to block shots to take charges, or at least have that mind-set. There are limits. The season is punishing enough.”"

All of that lays out a clear and obvious path for Ilyasova to contribute individually and help to build a greater cultural philosophy in Milwaukee, but there’s more to his fit too.

Ilyasova has always been a stellar rebounder — particularly on the offensive end — for his size, while his ability to knock down jump shots from mid-range and beyond the arc will certainly mesh with what Milwaukee needs from their reserve forwards.