2010 Season Expectations For The Milwaukee Bucks and Brandon Jennings

Following a great year finishing far higher than expected the Bucks look to take another step forward in 2010.  With Andrew Bogut coming back from his horrific injury and many off season acquisitions the Bucks will get the depth and talent back to make a deeper push in the playoffs.

Off Season Moves

The Bucks and John Hammond started the off season right by acquiring a much needed SF in Corey Maggette and in doing so unloaded the very over paid Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric.  Maggette averaged 19.8 ppg, and 5.3 rebounds a game with Golden State.  The traded added much needed production at the SF position and freed up $1.5 million in cap room and an extra roster spot.

Hammond used this roster spot well in adding SG Chris Douglas-Roberts from the New York Nets for a 2012 2nd round pick.  Douglas-Roberts scored 9.8 ppg and 3.0 rebounds a game with the less than competitive Nets.

After the acquisition of Douglas-Roberts it seemed that resigning SG John Salmons was out of reach but yet again Hammond work his magic and resigned the up and coming star, even with Michael Redd still on the roster.

Hammond also signed free agent Drew Gooden a defensive PF that should help the Bucks against the larger teams like the Atlanta Hawks.  Last season Gooden averaged 10.9 ppg and 7.7 rebounds.

Post draft the Bucks signed PG Earl Bodkins as a replacement to departed PG Luck Ridnour.  Bodkins role should be more limited that Ridnour with Jennings entering his 2nd season his playing time should increase considerably.

Bucks Draft

15th pick - Larry Sanders

The VCU product Larry Sanders is listed as a 6'9 PF but has the athleticism to play SF as well. He average 14.4 ppg and 9 rebounds a game as a senior.  With an extremely long wingspan of 7'5 look for Sanders to help the Bucks defensively and on the glass.  Unfortunately Sanders needs to work on his jump shot and at 205 pounds needs to add some much needed weight to play PF in the NBA.  I expect to see Sanders improve throughout the year and start to have a very nice impact come playoff time.

37th pick - Darington Hobson

After transferring to New Mexico and spending 1 year with the program the  6'7 SF averaged 16 ppg and 9.3 rebounds a game.  He had decent shooting numbers and has good skills going towards the hoop.  But with Maggette and Mbah a Moute already earning most of the playing time look for Hobson's playing time to be little and or Hobson ending up in the D League. Hobson is more of a development project than an instant solution.

44th pick - Jerome Jordan

got traded to the Knicks quickly for cash considerations.

47th pick - Tiny Gallon

A one and done player from Oklahoma Gallon has a NBA ready body at 6'8 320 with a wingspan of 7'5.  Gallon is a very good rebounder and has a nice shooting stroke.  Developing a 3 point shot is not out of Gallon's reach.  Gallon occasionally shows great post moves but likes to settle for contested or fade away shots, look for Scott Skiles to really focus on Gallon's low post play.  If Gallon can cut some weight and really get into shape he can contribute early for the Bucks, he would have been a 1st rounder had he not had off the court issues and could be a steal of a 2nd round pick.

Whats Next?

With 3 very good SG's on the roster one has to be moved and the obvious choice is Michael Redd, he's been injured for the past 3 seasons and the team always plays better without him.  He's over paid at $17 million a year.  Possible trades could involve teams like the Cavaliers who have plenty of cap room and could use all the help they can get.  Preferably the Bucks would receive draft picks instead of players from the teams that could take on Redd's contract.

Projected Starters

PG - Brandon Jennings

SG - John Salmons

SF - Corey Maggette

PF - Drew Gooden

C - Andrew Bogut

Others include:

SG Douglas-Roberts

PF Larry Sanders

PF Tiny Gallon

SF Mbah A Moute

SF Carlos Delfino

SF Ersan Illysova

Find playing time for 11 players in any level of basketball is difficult look for the Bucks and Hammond to try and move a few players and acquire a quality true center to back up Bogut.  Assuming Hammond continues to make the same smart moves he's been making this should be a very exciting season and other teams should truly FEAR THE DEER.

--Cain Mueller