Bucks trade Ilyasova to Pistons for Caron Butler and Shawne Williams

[Ohio]

Bucks interested in Brook Lopez

The Milwaukee Bucks intend to pursue Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez this summer, according to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein. Lopez, 27, is expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent.

Nets general manager Billy King has said retaining Lopez and forward Thaddeus Young is his No. 1 priority this offseason. The Nets can ill-afford to lose Lopez because they don't have the salary-cap means to replace him in free agency.

Because the Nets hold Lopez's Bird rights, they are the only team that can offer Lopez a five-year, max contract. Every other team can offer him a max contract of only four years.

The Bucks have an emerging young core in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams, Khris Middleton (restricted free agent) and Jabari Parker, but averaged just 88.5 points per game in the playoffs and ranked 25th in the NBA in offensive efficiency during the regular season. Lopez, who briefly played for Jason Kidd in Brooklyn in 2013-14 before the 7-foot center went down with a season-ending injury, would give the Bucks much-needed post scoring and a presence in the paint.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/22665/bucks-interested-in-brook-lopez

 

[Stark]

If bought out, what are people's thoughts on Caron Butler?

Seems like a decent enough 3&D guy, essentially a Marion replacement but think he has more in the tank left.

Butler doesn't play defense anymore and is only a 35% three point shooter. Far from a marksman.

I'll pass.

 

[Tornicade]

I think the Lopez rumour has teeth to it. ultimately Kidd will want some type of veteran stalwart to anchor those young guys

 

[kovanovich]

Ilyasova is a guy I had near the top of the list as a potential replacement for Love. At his best, he provides floor spacing and solid defensive rebounding. I thought the Haywood contract might be enough to get him, and it turns out I was right. Detroit made essentially the same trade.

(I think this is sort of moot, because I don't think Love leaves this summer.)

That contract Milwaukee signed Ilyasova to a few years ago hasn't really worked out, but the $8M/yr over the next two years is very reasonable, and a much better contract than what Channing Frye, for instance, is owed.

 

[spydy13]

The only problem with the Lopez rumors is I really doubt he would take less money to go play for the Bucks, unless he really loves Kidd.

What a disaster that would be for the Nets. By the way, I've seen some writers think that it would be crazy for Gilbert to reach the tax paying heights of the Nets, but at least he would be doing it for a good team. That Nets team just piled bad decision on top of bad decision, to the point where they really just have to ride it out. I honestly have no idea how Billy King still has a job, and if they were smart they would jump all over Ferry if he became available.

 

[Snarly]

Bucks are an intriguing team right now...they could be really good real soon if they play their cards right.

Pistons? Not so much.

If Jabari can be the real deal MCW ups his game and they get Lopez... we could be seeing this team in the ECF three to four years from now all things considered.

 

[Snarly]

WTF is Milwaukee going to do with $22 mil in cap space? Sign Greg Monroe lol.

Don't crap your self when you see the headline "Bucks land Monroe" Because he likes Kidd or some nonsense.

 

[Muffinalt]

Would never happen, but imagine Marc Gasol sign with the bucks this summer. Id poop my pants.

 

[Tornicade]

do The Nets want to keep Lopez? Bucks still have pach, Miles Plumlee and John Henson so signing a guy like Monroe , Lopez, Aldrige, Milsap , Amir Johnson, Gasol, Deandre Jordan, and Tyson Chandler will all be available

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

Love what the Bucks did. Hopefully for their sake they don't overpay a guy like Brook Lopez. If I were them I'd be 100% focused on re-signing Middleton at all costs and add a few other pieces.

Didn't realize Ilyasova is still only 28 years old. 8 million a year for him though. SVG must really like him with the amount of stretch four UFA's available in the summer they could have gotten for cheaper (Gooden, Bargnani, E Davis, Jerebko, D Arthur)