Top 4 prospects for the Bucks in 2014 NBA Draft

It continues to be an awful season for the Milwaukee Bucks as they are the worst team in the NBA with a 5-20 record.  While the franchise might be disappointed with the Bucks success so far, fans on the other hand are happy.  With one of the deepest drafts expected to take place in 2014, this is a perfect time for them to be struggling.

Last week I gave the top four prospects that the Bucks should select in the 2014 NBA Draft if they receive one of the top picks, and now it is time to see if those four players still remain in the top four.  

1. Jabari Parker - SF - Duke: Jabari Parker has earned the right to be the top prospect the last two weeks, as he as been the most dominating player in college basketball this season.  He is a great scorer and in his two games this past week he showed it averaging 22 points per contest while shooting an average of 56 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc.  

In his game against UCLA he did it all scoring 23 points while grabbing 10 rebounds and recording five assists.  His stock continues to remain high, and if he continues to produce the way he has in the first five weeks of the season, he will be the most sought after prospect in the upcoming draft.  

2. Andrew Wiggins - SG - Kansas: Andrew Wiggins only played in one game this week, and he would have been better off just sitting on the bench.  While Wiggins possess all the tools to make him a great NBA player, he has not proved that in his first 10 games this season.  

His performance has been up and down all season, and on Saturday night he was really struggling to do anything against New Mexico at home.  In 28 minutes of action he made only three of his 11 shots from the field scoring a total of 11 points, while securing four boards and recording four personal fouls.  

Wiggins' stock is falling as he has not performed to the level many people thought coming into the season.  Although he remains the number two overall prospect for the Bucks, if he continues to struggle offensively like he did this week, you will see him fall in the rankings.  

3. Joel Embiid - C - Kansas: The Milwaukee Bucks already have Larry Sanders projected as their starting center for the seasons to come, but his lack of performance and off the court issues have caused people to be concerned.  While drafting a center might not fill a need as of now, Embiid continues to put his name in the conversation with his consistent high level of play.  

In his lone game against New Mexico he played in 25 minutes while shooting 83.3 percent (5-6) from the floor and 80 percent (8-10) from the charity strip for a total of 18 points.  He also added six rebounds, four blocks and three steals for an all around great performance.  

While he needs to add more strength to his frame, and could use more in game experience, his stock continues to rise after another outstanding performance.  

4. Marcus Smart - PG - Oklahoma State: Marcus Smart returned for his sophomore season to improve his game, after last year when he could have been a top three pick in the draft.  This decision has hurt Smart so far because he has not taken his game to the next step like many people thought he would.  

This week he played in two home games against non-conference opponents, Louisiana Tech and Delaware State, and had two awful showings.  In the two contests he averaged about 30 minutes of action while scoring 10.5 points per game on 46.2 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from distance.  He did record at least three rebounds, assists and steals in each game, but he turned the ball over a combined eight times in the two games.  

Smart stock is falling after last week when he ranked as the third best prospect for Milwaukee, and while he would make a lot of sense for them, he has not been performing up to the level that a top pick should be playing at.  

Prospects on the outside looking in: Dante Exum - PG - Australia; Zach LaVine - PG - UCLA

The 2014 NBA Draft is still a long ways away, but as of now Jabari Parker is the player that is the most deserving of being selected number one, while Andrew Wiggins' stock continues to fall.  It will be another interesting week of college basketball, and make sure to check back next week to see if Joel Embiid is able to overtake Wiggins for the number two spot and if Marcus Smart falls out of the rankings.    

Top 4 prospects for the Bucks in 2014 NBA Draft

It is a great time to be a Milwaukee Bucks fan as the team has struggled to begin the season sitting near the bottom of the NBA with a 5-17 record, and appear be one of the lucky teams who will get one of the top picks in the deep 2014 NBA Draft.  The Bucks are in need of a young, talented player to build their franchise around, and in this draft that looks possible with many potential stars projected to be available.  Here are the rankings for the top players that the Bucks should take if they do receive one of the top picks in the 2014 NBA Draft:

1. Jabari Parker - SF - Duke: Jabari Parker has been the best player in college basketball so far this season.  In almost every game this year, he has clearly been the best and most dynamic player on the court.  Although he isn't a great athlete, he is very skilled and can score from anywhere on the floor.  Through nine games this season he is averaging 22.1 points per game, while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from behind the arc.  He is also averaging nearly eight rebounds per game.

Not only are the Bucks looking for an electric scorer, they are also looking for someone to build the franchise around.  Parker is a high character guy, who is an exceptional basketball talent, and would be deserving of being selected near the top of the draft.

2. Andrew Wiggins - SG - Kansas: Andrew Wiggins is an incredible athlete, and has the most potential in the upcoming draft, but he has not stood out so far this season.  Although he is only a freshman, he was the most talked about player entering the season, and he has not lived up to all the attention he received.  He is averaging 16.4 points per game, while making 50.5 percent of his shots and 36.7 percent of his attempts from three-point territory, but he has only dominated in only one game this season.

Wiggins can play multiple positions on the floor and is very talented, but right now he has not done anything to set himself apart from all the other talented players in college basketball.

3. Marcus Smart - PG - Oklahoma State:  Marcus Smart would be the perfect point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is capable of playing both the one and two, but whatever position he plays, he will produce.  The sophomore guard chose to return to Stillwater after last year to improve his game, and it has looked like it was a good decision.  He is averaging 19.7 points per game, while holding a 46.3 shooting percentage and making 34.6 percent of his long-range attempts.  All three statistics are an improvement from last season.

Smart is a strong, physical player who plays good defense, and is a born leader.  He is another high character guy who brings a lot of energy and competitiveness to the court, and is someone teams can build their franchise around.

4. Joel Embiid - C - Kansas: The seven foot freshman is a raw, freaky big man that possess tons of upside along with his 7'-5" wingspan.  Although he does need more game experience, and could add more strength, the sky is the limit.  Per game Embiid is averaging 8.9 points, while grabbing 6.6 rebounds, and blocking 2.2 shots in only 20 minutes of action.

This would be a surprising move for the Bucks since they need a scorer, and locked up the dysfunctional Larry Sanders this past offseason.  But Embiid is nothing like Sanders because he has more potential and is a harder worker.  Embiid's stock is rising, and while he would not fill a need, his potential maybe to much for the Bucks to pass on if they are unable to select the three players above.

Final thoughts: 

While the 2014 NBA Draft is still many months away, it is never too early to look into the future.  With the way the Bucks have been playing this season, do not be surprised if they end up with one of the top three picks in the draft. As of now these four players should be atop the Bucks draft board because they have shown that they are capable of being very talented NBA players that could help a struggling Bucks franchise.  

The 3rd Man In Sounds Off: Bucks make $44 million mistake

Nothing seems to be going right for the Milwaukee Bucks as they sit in the basement of the NBA with a 2-13 record, while the face of the franchise sits at the end of the bench in street clothes.  Before the season began the Bucks decided to give Larry Sanders a $44 million extension, which begins next season, and this decision could not look any worse.

Although Sanders averaged a near double-double last season (9.8 PTS and 9.5 TRB), he has not produced anywhere near those numbers.  In fact he has been more productive at the local tavern then he has been on the court, as he has only played in three games due to missing time because of a bar fight.

After this incident he was required to have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, and will miss a total of six weeks to recover.  Not only has he had off the court problems, but also before the injury he complained publicly about the lack of minutes he was receiving.

Although he does some positive things on the court, his technical fouls and actions off the court will always cause everyone to wonder if the Bucks made the wrong decision locking Sanders up to a big deal.

While a Dennis Rodman personality could create some excitement among fans, he does not have the personality to be a leader on a young, rebuilding Milwaukee Bucks team.  It is early but already Larry Sanders has shown that the Bucks made a huge $44 million mistake.

What are your thoughts on Larry Sanders? Did the Bucks make a huge mistake? Leave your thoughts below.  

Brandon Jennings is Not Worth the Hassle

From Compton, California, an athletic six foot one point guard, Brandon Jennings has all of the tools and potential to be great, but he has never lived up to those expectations in the NBA.  Though he experienced success early on in his basketball career, it has not transferred into the pro game, and now he has also been reported to be a cancer in the locker room.  This brings up the question whether or not the Milwaukee Bucks should resign Brandon Jennings?

Brandon Jennings grew up always being the best player on the court.  In high school he transferred to the powerhouse Oak Hill Academy after his sophomore season, and over the course of his two seasons there he become one of the best know high school prospects in the country.
 
In his senior season he averaged 32.7 points and 7.4 assists, while leading his team to a 41-1 record.  His stellar performance earned him some of high school basketball’s most significant awards, including the 2008 Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award, 2007-08 Gatorade Player of the Year in Virginia, 2008 Parade Magazine Player of the Year and 2008 EA Sports Player of the Year.  His outstanding performance made him the number one ranked high school prospect in the class of 2008 by ESPN.
 
In the summer of 2006 Jennings had chosen to attend the University of Southern California, but within the following year he changed his mind and instead decided to join the University of Arizona.  While this was no surprise since Arizona had great basketball tradition and proven success throughout the years, his next announcement would shock college basketball.

In June 2008, Jennings announced that he was thinking of becoming the first American player to skip college and play basketball professionally overseas.  His dreams became reality on July 16, 2008 when he signed a contract to play with Lottomatica Roma of the Italian Lega A, and later a contract with Under Armor to play in the Euroleague.  He claimed that this was his best route to gain experience and money until he was eligible to enter the NBA Draft.

Brandon Jennings struggled overseas.  He averaged less than 10 points per game, while only adding a couple of rebounds, assists and steals in each contest with both teams he played for.  His time spent overseas, was a disaster.  He was unable to carry his success from the high school game into the pros, ultimately questioning whether or not he could be successful in the NBA.

The 2009 NBA Draft, ended up becoming a success for Jennings.  Although he was not the top overall pick, he was still a lottery pick, being selected tenth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.

In his rookie season, Jennings took Milwaukee by surprise.  During his NBA regular season debut on October 30 Jennings was just shy of a triple-double, scoring 17 points with nine rebounds and assists in 34 minutes.  While his debut was impressive, scoring 55 points against the Golden State Warriors on November 14, had to be his biggest accomplishment of his rookie season.  He went on to lead the Milwaukee Bucks into the playoffs as the sixth seed.  Even though the playoffs did not go the way the Bucks had hoped, the future was bright for the young star.

His sophomore season did not go as planned.  While he did record his first career triple double on October 30, 2010, he was forced to miss 19 games in late December, through the end of January due to a left foot injury.  While his stats remained similar to his rookie season, he did struggle shooting from behind the arc shooting a dismal 32 percent compared to his 37 percent the year before.  The Bucks failed to make the postseason, but the expectations were still high for Jennings.

The lockout shortened season, 2011-12, was the best season of his young career.  He started all 66 games while recording career highs in points (19.1), steals (1.6), field goal percentage (.418) and minutes per game (35.3).  While Jennings had the best season of his pro career, the Bucks missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season, and were still waiting for him to have that break out season; everyone knew he was capable of.

The Milwaukee Bucks made the playoffs in 2012-13, even though they had a record below .500, but it was not because of Brandon Jennings.  He experienced a disappointing season after the 2011-12 season where he experience career highs in almost everything, causing many people to believe that this would finally be Jennings breakout year.  He averaged only 17.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game.  Not only was he disappointing on the court, but people close to the team speculated that he was a poor locker room guy.

Brandon Jennings is now a restricted free agent and currently has not received an offer from any team.  The Milwaukee Bucks have made it known that Jennings is not their first choice.  Earlier in the offseason the Bucks made an offer that was later matched by the Atlanta Hawks to point guard, Jeff Teague.  They also drafted point guard Nate Wolters and acquired point guard Luke Ridnour from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bucks are still waiting for Jennings to have a break out season and if he is truly a cancer in the locker room, it is neither worth the time nor money to bring him back.  This upcoming year will be a rebuilding season for the Bucks, and it is time to let the young guys play and develop.  While Jennings is full of talent, his performance and attitude throughout his short career, show no signs of him ever becoming a franchise point guard.

Although Jennings has all the talent to become an elite point guard, he has been unable to reach his potential.  With Jennings poor attitude and struggles on the court it would benefit both the Bucks and Jennings to let him move onto another team, and try to reach his potential with them. 

Milwaukee Bucks: Time to Rebuild Not Reload!

The Milwaukee Bucks have been mediocre for the last 12 seasons, and it is time to rebuild and look towards the future.  Instead of finishing with a near .500 record and possibly making the playoffs as an eighth seed for a second consecutive season, it is time to restart and build a team that can compete at a high level for multiple seasons.

The Bucks are built around their young frontcourt of Larry Sanders, Ersan Ilyasova and John Henson, along with recent draft picks, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nate Wolters.  Rather than overpaying for veterans, the Bucks need to see what they have in these young players by giving them opportunities to play and develop.

The Bucks are years away from competing with Miami, Chicago, and Indiana in the Eastern Conference, so now is the time to rebuild for the future.  The 2013-2014 season will not be an exciting time for Bucks' fans, but if it means getting a high lottery pick in the deep 2014 NBA Draft, and allowing their youngsters to develop, it will be worth it in the end.

Milwaukee Bucks Need a Guard

The Milwaukee Bucks entire backcourt (Jennings, Ellis, Redick) is set to hit free agency on July 1st, and none of them are expect to return next season.  This leaves the Bucks with a major hole on their roster, and it is something they need to address in this year's NBA Draft.

The Bucks currently hold the 15th overall pick, and if the draft plays out how I expect it to, the Bucks will be deciding between three players - Shane Larkin, Dennis Schroeder, and Glen Rice Jr.  All three of these players have a good possibility of being selected by the Bucks, but Shane Larkin is the best option for them.  

Shane Larkin is the best pick-and-roll point guard in the draft, and is one of the better athletes too.  Even though he is the smallest guard in the draft at six feet tall, he is a pesky defender, who is an excellent ball handler and shooter.    

Shane Larkin would be a great fit alongside Larry Sanders and John Henson, due to his athleticism, ability to handle the ball, and solid leadership skills.  Shane Larkin is the best option for the Bucks now and in the future, and he is a player the Milwaukee Bucks cannot afford to pass on in the draft.  

Milwaukee Needs Some Excitement

The Milwaukee Bucks are headed to rebuilding mode, with Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, and J.J. Reddick all set to hit the open market, and they need to draft a player to bring excitement and energy to the city of Milwaukee.  The only problem is, at the 15th overall pick in the draft, there are no players to get excited about.  In order to find that player they either need to move up to one of the top five selections of the draft, or acquire a well-known and successful veteran player.  While there have been rumors of the Bucks doing both of these things, trading for a big name player is the better option.

The Milwaukee Bucks have been rumored to be showing interested in Paul Pierce.  While Pierce would prefer to play for a contending team next year, the Bucks still have a possibility of landing his services.  The Boston Celtics would rather receive something in return for Pierce than buying him out before free agency, giving the Bucks some hope that a deal could get done.

If the Bucks were able to land Paul Pierce for their first round pick, he would instantly create buzz and excitement in Milwaukee.  While the Bucks would have to pay $15.3 million on the final year of his deal, it would be better than drafting a player who will need years to possibly develop into a solid NBA player.  Even at age 36, he is still capable of averaging near 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game, no matter what uniform he is wearing.

The Bucks need to generate excitement and energy with their 15th overall selection.  To do this, it will not be by drafting a player, but acquiring one via trade in Paul Pierce.  While Paul Pierce to the Milwaukee Bucks looks like along shot right now, this is a win-win for both franchises, and it would not be surprising if it were able to get completed on draft night.

Milwaukee Bucks Moving Up

The Milwaukee Bucks currently hold the 15th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, but would they be better off moving up?  A few weeks ago there was a rumor that the Bucks and Washington Wizards were discussing a deal the was centered around the third overall pick and Ersan Ilyasova.

It is unlikely that the Wizards would agree to a direct swap of the third overall pick for Ilyasova.  If the Bucks are willing to send their 15th overall pick to the Wizards and take on Trevor Ariza or Nene's contract, then there is a real possibility this deal could get done.

For the Bucks, if this deal is able to get done, it would be a great trade for them now and in the future, but only if they acquire Trevor Ariza, who only has a year remaining on his contract.  The Bucks would be able to unload the underperforming, overpaid Ersan Ilyasova, while acquiring a veteran scorer on a one year deal, and most importantly, move up in the draft.

With the third overall pick the Bucks would have many options, but their best option would be drafting point guard Trey Burke.  Trey Burke is a strong, physical guard who is an above average shooter that possesses decent range, and is an exceptional passer.  He does need to improve slightly defensively, but he is a true point guard, who would fit nicely in the Bucks starting lineup along Larry Sanders and John Henson.

The Milwaukee Bucks need to make a splash in this year's NBA Draft, and to do so, they need to acquire the third overall pick and select the highly talented Trey Burke.

Only One Way to Keep the Bucks in Milwaukee

Could the Bucks really leave Milwaukee?  There have been speculations that the Bucks will be targeted by the Seattle ownership group who recently failed on buying the Sacramento Kings.  Even though Bucks' owner Herb Kohl said the Bucks are not for sale, the Bucks and the NBA have said that the team will need to leave Milwaukee after the 2016-2017 season unless a new arena is built.

There has been no official talk of a new arena being built in Milwaukee and the clock is ticking.  Milwaukee needs to keep the Bucks in Milwaukee, where they have been a fixture since 1968, but the only way to do so is to build a new arena.

The Milwaukee Bucks currently play in an old and below average arena.  When the Bradley Center opened in 1988 it was meant to hold a hockey team not a NBA franchise.  With an arena that is built for a NBA franchise, it would make the Bucks a more competitive team.  Players would have a desire to come play in Milwaukee, and fans would be more interested in supporting a competitive team in a top of the line arena.

Herb Kohl has said that he would be willing to make a financial commitment to a new arena.  Though an amount was not given, he did say it would be significant.  This will help but in order to obtain a new arena, the people of Milwaukee and surrounding counties will need to publicly fund money as well.  This will not be a popular decision, but it will be a smart decision in order to keep Milwaukee a revenue-earning city, with a big city feel.

Without the Bucks in Milwaukee, the city will suffer financially.  People will loose jobs, hotels and parking lots will be in less demand, and surrounding restaurants and bars will receive less business without a major sports team in the downtown area.  This decision is just not about basketball, but about the city as a whole.

Milwaukee has already lost one team due to financial reasons and we cannot afford to loose another.  It is time for people to get on board with a new arena otherwise Milwaukee is not just loosing its basketball team, but its big city feel and revenue for the entire city.

Bucks Hire Larry Drew to be New Head Coach

Larry Drew has agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.  He replaced interim head coach Jim Boylan, who took over for Scott Skiles mid way through last season.  Drew was previously the head coach for the Atlanta Hawks for the last three seasons.  He compiled a 128-102 record and led the Hawks to the playoffs in each of those three seasons.

Larry Drew is not a wow factor like Jerry Sloan or Stan Van Gundy, but he is a veteran coach who has had success throughout his career.  The Bucks are a young, talented team led by big men Larry Sanders and John Henson, but they are in a rebuilding stage with J.J. Redick, Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings all set to hit the open market.  Larry Drew needs to focus on building the Bucks into a solid playoff team year in and year out, with Sanders and Henson being focal points of the team.

Time will tell if Larry Drew was the right man for the job, but as of now this was a smart hire for the Milwaukee Bucks to bring in an experienced coach, who has had postseason success in the past.

Milwaukee Bucks Need to Trade the Turkish Thunder

The "Turkish Thunder," Ersan Ilyasova, has been a solid player throughout his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, but he has never developed into the star the Bucks hoped he would, averaging 10.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

His stats are excellent if he was a role player but not for a sixth man/starter making $40 million over five years.  The Bucks made a huge mistake last summer signing him to this outrageous contract and it is time for them to fix it.

The Bucks do not have a need for Ilyasova with up incoming star John Henson manning the four position for the years to come.  They need to trade Ilyasova and acquire players who will be financially cheaper and help them in the future.

Acquiring MarShon Brooks from the Brooklyn Nets would be the solution.  He is an athletic guard, with tons of upside, but he is stuck behind six-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson, making him a moveable player for the Nets.  Brooks is a dangerous shooter from inside, but he does need to improve he shooting range and defense in order to become a well-rounded player.  MarShon Brooks needs a change of scenery and Milwaukee is the best fit for him.

Trading Ersan Ilyasova might not be a popular decision, but it is a move the Bucks need to make.  Ilyasova is overpaid for his limited production on the court and does not fit into the Bucks future plans, making him expendable.  They need to acquire a young, dynamic scorer and MarShon Brooks is the guy who makes the most sense for the Bucks now and in the future.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Needs to Make a Return to Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Bucks season is all but over, and it is time to start looking towards next season.  Their first decision will be deciding whether interim coach Jim Boylan will return next season.  Based on the way the Bucks have performed since he has taken over for Scott Skiles (Record of 22-28), he will and should not return as the head coach next season.  Instead the Bucks need to hire a head coach that will demand respect from his players and be able to turn around a disappointing franchise that has not been competitive since 2000-2001.

George Karl is not coming back and the last time I checked Phil Jackson is not interested in coming to Milwaukee, so the Bucks will need to find an up incoming coach that has similar coaching styles like some of the best coaches in the game today.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is someone who fits this profile.  Even though he has no coaching experience, he brings something that only a few coaches in the NBA bring today - automatic respect.

According to Dave Begel of OnMilwaukee.com, the NBA's all-time leading scorer is interested in coaching the Bucks after this season:

One name I didn't hear, and one that I think should move to the very head of the line is a man I talked with last week who said he'd jump at the chance to coach the Bucks.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  I asked him flat out if he would be willing to be the head coach of the Bucks.  "Of course," he replied.

Stars want to play for coaches like Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, and Doc Rivers because not only have they been successful but they are well respected.  Mutual respect is key to success, just take a look at two former head coaches -- Avery Johnson and Nate McMillan.  Avery Johnson was fired early into this season because he and Deron Williams did not get along, which hurt the teams chemistry and performance.  Nate McMillian was fired last season because most of his players did not get along with him, hurting the teams overall play on the court.

Not only would Kareem demand respect, but he would also be able to mentor Larry Sanders and John Henson.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the best big man to ever play in the NBA and he could use his experience to help make Sanders and Henson stars.

Just imagine the 7'2" legend roaming the sideline for the Bucks!  Even though he has no coaching experience he will be respected instantly by his players and will be able to teach them everything he learned when he was dominating the paint for the Bucks and Lakers in the 70s and 80s.  Hiring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as their next head coach would bring excitement to Milwaukee and lead the franchise into the right direction for the years to come.

What should the Milwaukee Bucks do with their head coaching situation?  Leave your thoughts below.

Monta Ellis Sinks the Ridiculous Game-Winner in Houston

Milwaukee Bucks Acquire J.J. Redick

Fear the Deer!  The Milwaukee Bucks are the biggest winner at the NBA Trade Deadline after they acquired sharp shooter J.J. Redick in a six player deal.  J.J. Redick is a dangerous three point shooter and he gives the Bucks, along with Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, one of the best backcourts in the NBA.

The Bucks traded away Doron Lamb, Beno Udrih, and Tobias Harris, three expendable players who have not had a significant role with the Bucks this season.  With the acquisition of Redick, the Bucks now have a legitimate scorer (15.1 PPG and 45% field goal shooter) at the shooting guard position, and a guard who plays well off the ball.  Besides his great ability to shoot the ball, Redick is also an underrated distributer averaging 4.4 assists a game this season and a solid defender.  

With the Bucks currently holding on to the eighth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, this trade will make the Bucks significantly better, and improve their playoff spot.  The Bucks will be able to move up in the playoff standings, and expect them to be the number five seed in the Eastern Conference by the end of the season.

What Should the Milwaukee Bucks Do With Monta Ellis

Entering the 2012-2013 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks' backcourt duo in Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings were suppose to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to the playoffs and at least the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.  After starting the season with an impressing 6-2 record, the Bucks have struggled lately with a 22-18 record and have recently fired their head coach, Scott Skiles.

Even though together these two players give the Bucks the quickest backcourt in the NBA, Jennings and Ellis are two similar players, who don't fit well together.  The answer to this situation would be to trade either players, more likely Monta Ellis, but trading Ellis wouldn't be a smart decision for the Bucks.  

The Milwaukee Bucks, even with their struggles, are still in the playoff race and if the Bucks would trade Ellis, they would most likely not get any talented young players but instead a bad contract or players who wouldn't be able to fill in for the lost production of Ellis.  Monta Ellis has a player option for next season for $11 million and he is likely to opt out of his contract because he doesn't really like being in Milwaukee, and he thinks he can get more money on the open market because according to him he is a very similar player to Dwyane Wade.

The Milwaukee Bucks shouldn't trade Monta Ellis because the Bucks are still in the playoff race and if they were to trade him, they wouldn't receive enough talent to make them an even better team then they already are.  The best answer is to just stick with Ellis the rest of the season and see how far they can get because at the end of the season he will decline his option and he won't be back.  Next season the Bucks will be able to use the $11 million dollars they save from Ellis or other players they would trade for, to try to sign Jennings to an extension and/or use it to bring in free agents that will help this team to be competitive for the years to come.  

The Milwaukee Bucks Need to Strike Gold in the NBA Draft

The Milwaukee Bucks need to draft a player who will make an immediate impact right away and someone that will develop into a good starter in the future.  The Bucks can't draft a guy who will take years to develop into a bench player like Larry Sanders, or a player like Joe Alexander, who was a complete bust and is now flipping burgers at the local McDonalds.  The Bucks need to address their biggest need and draft Tyler Zeller.  He would be the best fit for the Bucks because he is experienced, tall, runs the floor very well, and has a great touch around the basket.  People think that Meyers Leonard would be a good player to draft because of his upside, but he isn't experienced, too much of a risk and wouldn't help the Bucks right away.  If the Bucks want to be competitive and have a chance to make the playoffs they need to draft Tyler Zeller.  If the Bucks decided not to draft Tyler Zeller or trade for an experienced center, the Bucks will be just as bad this year as they were last year, and it will be the last year Scott Skiles coaches the Bucks.

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