Ilyasova makes his return to Bucks official
Ersan Ilyasova is officially a member of the Bucks.
Again.
A 2005 draft pick of the Bucks, Ilyasova rejoined the team Monday when he signed a contract that was agreed upon in the early moments of free agency. Ilyasova's contract is expected to pay his about $21 million over three years with the final year of the contract being non-guaranteed.
“Ersan is a high-character, veteran player who gives our team an additional shooter to help spread the court,” Bucks general manager Jon
Horst said in a statement. “He has a team-first mentality and brings toughness and energy to both ends of the floor. We are very excited to have him and his family back in Milwaukee.”
Ilyasova, a 6-foot-10 forward who can space the floor, grab rebounds and has a knack for taking charges, has a skill set that on paper should fit well with the Bucks, who are built around star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks had interest in adding Ilyasova last spring after he was bought out by the Atlanta Hawks, but Ilyasova opted to close out last season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 31-year-old Ilyasova was in Milwaukee's top tier of targets in free agency this summer, and the Bucks didn't waste any time getting a commitment from him. Word of the pact between the two sides came out in the first hour of free agency.
The deal, with its two guaranteed years at about $7 million a season fits into Milwaukee's mid-level exception this year and represents the Bucks betting big on Ilyasova being the right fit.
If he is, the Bucks could reasonably decide to keep him next season on a contract that could be then considered around his market value. With a solid 2018-'19 season, they could also gauge the trade market for him next summer as a way to open cap space, considering the number of players — Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon — who could be up for contract extensions.
If Ilyasova doesn't pan out, the Bucks will have him for another year on a salary figure that is considered an overpay by many around the NBA. He would be on an expiring deal due to the team option for 2020-'21, but finding a partner could be more difficult and his salary figure could become an issue when it comes to constructing the roster come free agency in 2019.
Ilyasova first joined the Bucks as the 36th pick in the 2005 draft. After being drafted, Ilyasova stayed abroad for a season before joining the Bucks for 66 games in 2006-'07. He then spent two years in Spain before returning to the Bucks from 2009-'15. This past season, Ilyasova was selected via a fan vote as one of the Bucks' top five power forwards during their 50-year existence.
During his seven seasons in Milwaukee, Ilyasova averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 44.7% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range. Ilyasova ranks seventh on Milwaukee's all-time list for three-pointers made (428) and eighth in three-pointers attempted (1,157).
In his career, which spans 678 games with six teams, Ilyasova has averages of 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 44.3% from the field and 36.6% from behind the threepoint line.
With the Bucks, in addition to getting back together with the franchise and multiple former teammates, he reunites with coach Mike Budenholzer under whom he played in Atlanta for parts of the past two seasons. Budeholzer will be Ilyasova's seventh coach in eight seasons playing in Milwaukee.