NBA Rumors: Why Brandon Jennings Won't Be Part of Deadline Frenzy

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings turned some heads earlier this season when he discussed his impending free agency summer. Long story short, the volatile Jennings stated that he was "doing homework" on large market teams and was "keeping his options open."

Given how the Bucks are struggling to just make the playoffs and that Jennings is their best player, this was surely a slap in the face both to fans and team management.

This season, Jennings is averaging 19.1 points and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 40 percent from the floor. Given how the Bucks have struggled most of the season and Jennings more or less implied that he was going to walk, one would think that GM John Hammond would dangle him to see if there were any buyers.

However, I'll tell all fans hoping to land Jennings to stop holding their breath. Though he may be leaving for greener pastures this coming offseason, he's not going anywhere for a few reasons.

First off, thanks to the reeling New York Knicks and a three-game winning streak (extended last night with a 105-99 victory over the New Jersey Nets, with 34 points and 7 boards from Jennings), the Bucks are now the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. I don't care how inconsistent your team is, but if you're in playoff position at this time of year, you don't trade away your best player.

Secondly, despite Jennings' flaws, he is Milwaukee's most consistent player and the electrifying game he brings to the table is hard to replace. 

Last, Jennings has averaged 22.8 points and 7.2 assists over Milwaukee's previous five games. He has also made 45 percent of his three-point shots. All in all, he's been playing like a point guard and less like a scorer.

That isn't to say that Jennings hasn't been part of trade rumors. Sam Amick of SI.com reported that the Bucks were making their star available "for the right price," and those comments rubbed Jennings the wrong way, apparently. 

Still, given how the team has been playing as of late, particularly in their win against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 5, it doesn't make sense for them to deal Jennings at this point.

That all being said, for all fans who were hoping that their team would make a play for the volatile point guard this week, I'm sorry to say that it's probably not going to happen. Jennings is just too valuable to the Bucks at this point and given the recent winning streak, the team can't afford to lose him.

Even if he does leave Milwaukee via free agency, at least there's the possibility that he'll close out his playing time with a bang.