Bucks Off-Season Choices Are Key To Growth

The 2010 NBA season for the Milwaukee Bucks was a surprise for most people. Most people pegged the Bucks for a bottom of the Eastern Conference finish and yet another pick in the Lottery.

The Bucks have two spots in their starting line-up locked for for the long term in emerging center Andrew Bogut and rookie point guard Brandon Jennings. Both are signed to contracts that keep them together for at least the next three seasons.

The free agent class for the summer holds the key to the future for the entire NBA for the next several years. Most players are pegged to either stay put, or opt out and play for a new franchise. Being a smaller market team, the Bucks don't have much to bargain with in the free agency market with over $18 million tied up in aging and unhealthy Michael Redd.

The future for the Bucks must continue to come through the NBA Draft, as General Manager John Hammond struck gold with rookie point guard Brandon Jennings. The biggest need for the Bucks come at the Power Forward spot, lacking another inside presence to compliment Andrew Bogut.

Options that get the Bucks attention, who hold the 15th overall pick, are Ed Davis from North Carolina, Hassan Whiteside from Marshall, Cole Aldrich from Kansas, or Patrick Patterson of Kentucky. No matter the direction the Milwaukee Bucks take, it looks like it's going to be a great summer of NBA talk.    

Overall, looking forward to the continuing success for the Bucks, the current players need to continue to grow. Things on the list for John Hammond this summer is finding a player to play alongside Andrew Bogut, re-signing forward John Salmons, and find a way to unload Michael Redd. 

The 2010-2011 NBA season may have a completely new look, either way it should be a good one.