The Milwaukee Bucks boast the second, 31st and 36th picks in the upcoming 2014 NBA draft. Despite this, it appears that they are looking to add another late first-round pick to the mix and are leveraging Ersan Ilyasova as potential trade bait in order to do so.
According to Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times, Ilyasova is the likeliest current Buck to be calling a new city home next year.
The most likely Buck player to be relocated to a different zip code is Ersan Ilyasova, who is coming off a disappointing season but whose stock remains fairly high.
The general consensus among some NBA personnel is that the Bucks, who are obviously in a rebuilding mode, could obtain a late-first round pick for the 27-year-old Ilyasova in what is regarded as one of the most deep and talented draft in years.
Ilyasova averaged 11.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season, but saw his overall game decline from the previous season. The power forward shot just 41 percent from the field compared to 46 percent in 2012-2013 and 49 percent in 2011-2012. His value is also seen as a late first-round pick, which brings into the equation the likes of the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder as teams that could potentially be interested in him.
In addition to Oklahoma City and Miami, ESPN’s Nick Borges looks as other potential fits for the big man.
Teams that could have interest in Ilyasova are the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls.
Ilyasova is set to count $7.9 million against the cap in each of the next two seasons, which might limit those interested in his services, especially after a down 2013-2014 season.
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