Milwaukee Bucks: Thinking Forward

The Bucks have some big decisions to make in the upcoming weeks. They have a few players not returning next year due to contracts that includes, Jake Voskuhl, Royal Ivy, Micheal Ruffin, and Awvee Storey. 

They also have a tricky draft coming up next Thursday.  With the eighth pick, there certainly is talent available, just not exactly where the Bucks need it most.

Larry Harris would have taken the best player available in the draft, but for the first time in too long, Hammond will be calling the shots. This means the Bucks could still get a decent player. 

Kevin Love will most likely still be on the board when the eighth pick comes along, as well as Joe Alexander.  But the only problem with drafting these talented studs is the fact that the Bucks are already full of big men, i.e. Bogut, Villanueva, Jianlian, and Gadzuric. 

Bringing in another one will only crowd the roster space and hamper the development of all the big men except Danny G. Which I think we can all agree on has hit his potential ceiling.

So with the eighth pick, should the Bucks select Westbrook from UCLA, (who probably would require some time in the D-league like Ramon Sessions) or should they trade up for a more NBA ready player like Eric Gordon from Indiana?

If they do trade the pick for a player like Gordon, they will need to fill the backup guard position. Trading will likely cost Michael Redd, Charlie Bell, possibly Mo Williams, and a throw in like Bobby Simmons for extra insurance. That would leave quite a hole in the Bucks' backcourt. 

The Bucks' top free agent priorities have to be guards and small forwards. Here is a short list of some players I think can help the cause greatly.

James Jones- Portland
Ricky Davis- Miami
Mickael Pietrus- Golden State
Kelenna Azubuike- Golden State
Lindsey Hunter- Detroit
Delonte West- Clevelend
Ben Gordon- Bulls
Eddie House- Boston
James Posey- Boston

These players are good role players who can actually play defense. They also wouldn't take up all the Bucks' cap room.