Milwaukee Bucks: Larry Sanders continues comeback campaign

After over three years off, big man Larry Sanders is eyeing an NBA comeback and a potential reunion with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Most Milwaukee Bucks’ fans might remember Larry Sanders and his tenure with the team, even if it is not in the most favorable light.

The Bucks drafted Sanders 15th overall in the 2010 NBA Draft, and the big man showed significant promise. After his first three seasons, he was averaging 6.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, solidifying himself as a potential defensive anchor for a Milwaukee team that needed all the help it could get. In the summer of 2013, the Bucks inked the center to a four-year $44 million extension, which proved to be a mistake soon after.

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Sanders played in a combined 50 games over the next two seasons before deciding he needed to take a step away from basketball entirely. In 2015, the team bought and stretched out Sander’s contract, still paying him until the 2021-22 season.

Sanders made a brief return to the NBA during the 2016-17 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but it was merely a cameo as he appeared in just five games. Now, all these years later, the big man is targeting a return once again. There were rumblings earlier in the season that the 31-year-old was looking to come back, but nothing ever came of it. Speaking to TMZ in June:

"“I think with things shifting a bit, me still young, I feel like I’m in the prime stage, I can definitely contribute.”“I would just love to contribute to a team and help them win and give my knowledge, give my defensive presence and just being able to play basketball.”“That’s ideal for me. That sounds like heaven.”"

Sanders went quiet following that interview, but with the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat taking place, it appears he had enough. The big shared his thoughts on Twitter, pleading to the Heat that they could use a player of his talents in trying to contain Anthony Davis. He also stated that he has been training twice a day and that he is ready for the call.

Larry Sanders personally mentioned Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo regarding his desire to return.

The most intriguing tweet, however, was one directed at back-to-back league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Sanders and Antetokounmpo were teammates for a short stint in the 2013-14 season, and the veteran has a potential interest in joining forces once again.

https://twitter.com/l8show_thegoat/status/1312434845147000832

While Sanders’ defensive prowess would be an exceptional addition, this current Milwaukee team might not be the best fit for him. The Bucks already have two capable big men in the Lopez twins, and adding a third might just be unnecessary. Not to mention what makes the Lopez twins so successful on this team is their ability to space the floor offensively. Sanders, on the other hand, is an interior threat, currently a zero percent 3-point shooter for his career.

That does not mean there is no fit for Sanders in today’s game, however. If the big man can pick up where he left off defensively, averaging 1.8 blocks per game over his six-year career, he could be a noteworthy option for teams in need at the position.