While the Milwaukee Bucks have undergone an intensive roster makeover that began at the trade deadline of last season, one player they want to keep is center Larry Sanders.
According to reports, the team is on the verge of doing just that. The Bucks and Sanders' agent are close to extending their rim-protecting big man, who is now the biggest star on the team following the departures of Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis. Sources close to the situation expect Sanders to earn $10 million per season on his new deal.
The sea change in Milwaukee is startling. Milwaukee's three-man backcourt of 2012-2013 is gone; Ellis has signed with the Dallas Mavericks, Jennings was traded last week to the Detroit Pistons for Brandon Knight and two young players, and J.J. Redick was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team trade that netted the Bucks two second-round picks. They also parted ways with Tobias Harris, a promising young forward, when they acquired Redick from the Orlando Magic at the deadline.
Last season Sanders averaged 27 minutes a night, scoring 9.8 points and grabbing 9.5 rebounds per game. While those are respectable numbers, Sanders' true value is as a shot-blocking presence near the hoop. Sanders swatted a tick under three shots per game; he was third in the NBA in total blocks (201) and second in blocks per game (2.8), trailing only Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sanders' play has been noticed by Team USA officials, as he was invited to USA Basketball's 25-and-under minicamp, although he sustained a sprained ankle during play.
If he gets extended, he will be expected to take on a leadership role with so many new pieces in the fold, such as guard/forward O.J. Mayo, point guard Gary Neal, and off-guard Carlos Delfino. He would also have to improve his post offense, and bring up his field goal percentage, which narrowly broke 50 percent last year.
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