The Milwaukee Bucks currently have five players on the 15-man roster that can play the power forward position. They are John Henson, Ersan Ilyasova, Khris Middleton, Johnny O'Bryant III and Jabari Parker. For that reason, general John Hammond might begin shopping at least one of them since they all can't get enough playing time. From Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times: "Bucks glut of PFs is rearing its ugly head: Henson averaging just 16.7 minutes; Ilyasova a mere 11.3. Neither can be happy." Currently head coach Jason Kidd is starting Middleton at small forward and Parker at power forward. O'Bryant III is out with a sprained right knee and will play sparingly this season. Henson can get some minutes at center, but Kidd already has Larry Sanders and Zaza Pachulia at that spot and as long as both stay healthy there isn't a lot of time for Henson. Early on Henson is eighth in minutes played on the Bucks, with Ilyasova 11th. Ilyasova struggled last season for a few reasons, including a lingering right ankle sprain, and he's hopoing to bounce back in 2014-15 after spending a lot of time working with the training staff. Ilyasova has had a lot of admirers among NBA executives since he can be a top "stretch 4" and the Bucks will likely field some calls if he can show that his ankle has completely healed. Ilyasova is on the books for $7.9 million the next two years followed by a small amount of guaranteed money from his $8.4 million salary in 2016-17. Henson is in year three of his rookie-scale contract and he's making $1,98 million this season and $2.94 million for 2015-16. John Henson gets my vote.
If we can buy low on Ilyasova, I'd do it in a heartbeat. It was just two seasons ago that he was putting up 44% from 3 -- and it wasn't a fluke, because he did it in back to back seasons ('11-'12 and '12-'13). The Bucks should have traded him when his value was high. Hopefully, they'll be willing to deal him on the cheap to clear the logjam.
In those years he was only making one 3 per game, so he wasn't really lighting it up from beyond the arc.
Ilyasova has a contract that extends beyond next year at 8 million, so he's not a good option for Morey. However, John Henson is the PERFECT player for us to get. He's 6'11 and can play a little bit of center when needed, although he'll make his money has a defensive, good rebounding PF. The only reason he's not getting playing time is because Larry Sanders is basically the same player, but slightly better. We need to buy low on Henson. I would trade D-MO and 2 second round picks for Henson and call it a day.
I would take one of their PFs as a back-up over D-Mo any day! However, I am surprised McHale has not tried Garcia at SF back-up and Papa at SF & PF!
Your proposal: Morey: Hey Jason, I hear you guys have a glut at power forward! What do you say we help you with that? How about Henson for Donatas Motiejunas? Kidd: Isn't Motiejunas just a crappier power forward? And didn't he complain about not getting enough minutes with you guys last year? How in the hell does that help us with our glut at power forward? Morey: I don't know. Ask Medicine N Music. I'm just pitching his idea.
D-Mo is the exact opposite of John Henson. D-MO can play 4 or 5 and is more of an offensive player with a decent post up game. He also has positive value and can be flipped at a later time. If they need to get rid of Henson, they may as well get value back. Basically Henson for 2 second round picks and a player of value w/ a premium skill in the NBA.
I'm not sure you can just take a 2 year flyer on a salary like Ilyasova's for a reclamation project. It seems unwise. At the very least acquiring him would end any possible flexibility to do anything besides MLE signings and trades. I like Henson but they won't just be giving him away for peanuts and I can't see them particularly wanting any of our bench guys as a centerpiece.
What is Milwaukee's biggest need? SG? I don't think I'd trade Papa for Henson, but I might do Troy Daniels for him. I like having Daniels on the bench, but he is getting absolutely no burn and between him and Nick Johnson I'd rather keep Johnson. I'd do Daniels plus 2nd rounder for Henson....
I like DMO the dude, but I can't wait until either he figures it out, or we replace him. He's the weakest rotation player by far.
Me likes. Could you give Morey a call for us? Hook it up? Side note: And yet, I think they like Henson, despite Kidd's inability to get him minutes so far this season.
Henson is OK, but I'm not a big fan. Admittedly, I haven't seen a lot of him live so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. BTW - who was the guy on here who said he saw absolutely no difference between John Henson and Anthony Davis? I think it was the same guy who said Royce White could be like "Majic" Johnson.
Henson would be able to contribute this season though. Daniels and a 2nd rounder would be a great deal for both teams.
Don't know if Henson would move the needle much but I think Illyasova would definitely be a useful player. I'm just doubtful the bucks would sell so low on him.
That's what I was about to say, meaning defensively. On offense, Henson shows great strech 4 promise, with a good shooting touch, while Capela plays essentialy above the rim for the near future.
Henson is better at rebounding and shot blocking due to his length. Jones is the better shooter. I love Terrence's hustle, but Henson is relentless too. Jones gets you rebounds and easy tip-ins. Sometimes you want him to kick it out to the open man for three when 3 guys are swarming him, but he has been better lately at not forcing it, taking his time, and using fakes. Henson is clearly better than D-Mo. I doubt they want Capela and Nick for Henson. I would give them the Pelicans pick for him. I think the Pelicans will play well enough this season to render that pick mediocre at best. Having Henson this season is so much more valuable then ending up with another project.
