All Signs Point to Breakout Season for Milwaukee Bucks' John Henson

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to build upon an impressive 41-win season, and they're looking for big man John Henson to help their cause. The 24-year-old figures to adopt a more prominent role in a refurbished front-line rotation that includes a healthy Jabari Parker and prized free-agent acquisition Greg Monroe.

The three-year veteran has already proved he belongs, and his efforts may soon be rewarded with a contract extension. 

The Journal Sentinel's Charles F. Gardner reported this week that "[a] source indicated serious talks between the Bucks and the fourth-year player are ongoing, with the goal of reaching an agreement on a multiyear contract extension."

It's just the latest sign that the organization believes in Henson. General manager John Hammond also indicated that Monroe's presence won't be an obstacle to Henson's playing time.

"We think John is a great complement to Greg with his defensive ability and his ability as a premier shot-blocker in the league," Hammond said, per Gardner.

The North Carolina product averaged seven points, 4.7 rebounds and two blocks in just 18.3 minutes per contest last season. He upped his production in the playoffs to 8.8 points and eight rebounds, using his considerable length and athleticism to bother the Chicago Bulls' impressive front line of Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah.

Henson's impact didn't go unnoticed. 

	Min	PER	TS %	RB %	Blk %	Win Shares
Monroe	31.0	21.2	.549	17.9	1.3	6.8
Parker	29.5	14.5	.527	10.7	0.6	1.3
Antetokounmpo	31.4	14.8	.552	12.2	2.8	6.2
Henson	18.3	18.0	.578	14.5	9.3	3.6
Plumlee	16.4	13.4	.536	14.8	4.3	2.6

"What he did in the playoffs is potentially a statement in his young career," Hammond added. "To defend the interior against the players Chicago has—Noah and Gasol—was impressive."

Henson's numbers were even better two seasons ago thanks to superior playing time. He's poised to get some of that time back after the franchise traded center Zaza Pachulia to the Dallas Mavericks. At 6'11", Henson is the roster's closest thing to a legitimate center, and he's a better rim protector than Monroe or the somewhat sparingly used Miles Plumlee. His versatility will empower head coach Jason Kidd to deploy a variety of long, quick and athletic lineups.

"For me, I can play anybody," Kidd said, according to Gardner. "[Henson will] find some time throughout the year. Henson and Monroe will be on the floor. Henson can play 5 and 4. We can go with two bigs or Henson can be out at the 5 with all smalls."

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Giannis Antetokounmpo could conceivably be in the mix as well, though it remains to be seen if he's really more of a big man or wing player. Milwaukee's mix of talent doesn't preclude more opportunity for Henson, but there could certainly be challenges given the club's wealth of length.

Kidd believes that Henson can contribute in the short term, but he's also expressed a need for patience. 

"He was coming off the bench for us and being able to change shots, but also being able to give us some points on the other end," Kidd added. "He's young. It's just understanding it's a marathon.

"When you see guys around you in that locker room who are focused in, you have no choice. You don't want to be the odd one standing out and not being prepared."

So far, Henson has been prepared and more. He's unquestionably one of the league's up-and-coming interior defenders, and no one should be surprised by the prospect of an extension. According to Hardwood Paroxysm's Austin Peters, an extension actually makes good sense from the organization's perspective:

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Even with Henson’s $4 million cap hold, the Bucks can get to nearly $34 million in cap space next summer. The middle tier max contract next summer will start at about $26 million (30% of the salary cap), meaning the Bucks have a decent chunk of room to not only extend Henson, but potentially sign another player to a max contract. Henson is the only player on Milwaukee who can protect the rim at an elite level while also being a great roller in ball screens. If the Bucks let him become a free agent, he could get close to max deal from another team, making it a smart thing for the Bucks to try and sign him to an extension.

"

If Henson is persuaded by the financial security (and amount offered), then he may well sign a deal before becoming a restricted free agent next summer.

But there's also a good chance he decides to wait things out, particularly if Milwaukee's offer is at all underwhelming. Waiting until 2016 would assure Henson the opportunity to test his value on the open market, perhaps commanding more money from a competing suitor or the Bucks themselves.

In that event, next season would be all the more important from Henson's perspective, a chance to prove himself in advance of a potentially very lucrative payday. Taking full advantage of the season would probably entail developing his offensive skills and becoming more of a two-way player. That would draw all kinds of attention during next summer's free agency.

Dave Tulis/Associated Press

But even without a more refined offensive game, Henson is set to get paid. Defensive specialists are worth pretty good money, particularly when they can deter penetration at the rim. Just ask the New Orleans Pelicans, who inked center Omer Asik to a five-year, $58 million deal this summer. Asik only averaged 7.3 points per contest a season ago and has extremely limited ability outside of the painted area. 

One way or another, Henson should be rewarded handsomely. There's precedent for that.

None of that undermines the importance of the coming season, however. Henson has a chance to become a key piece of the rotation, perhaps averaging in the neighborhood of 25 minutes per game, as he did in the 2013-14 campaign. And the big question is what he'll do with those minutes, whether he can maintain his reputation as a high-energy rebounder and shot-swatter. 

Even if the two sides agree to an extension before next season, Henson will find himself vying for playing time—and, if the offensive game comes along, a few extra touches. There will still be plenty on the line for a guy who's yet to set himself apart as an All-Star-type player. That kind of ceiling probably isn't out of reach, but it's far from a given.

Much as he's done, Henson still has work to do.