Ersan Ilyasova rumors: Milwaukee Bucks to keep Ilyasova unless they deal for Eric Bledsoe
The Milwaukee Bucks are very happy with their offseason for the simple reason they were able to draft former Duke Blue Devils’ forward Jabari Parker with the number two overall pick in June’s draft. That, however, has not stopped several different rumors to swirl. The Bucks reportedly would love to land Phoenix Suns’ restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe, but that does not look like a realistic possibility at the moment. There has also been a lot of chatter around power forward Ersan Ilyasova. The Bucks are obviously rebuilding around Parker and their 2013 first round pick, Giannis Antetokounmpo, meaning veterans like Ilyasova could be expendable.
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Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors believes the Bucks will hang on to Ilyasova unless they deal for Bledsoe.
"There had been conflicting reports about Milwaukee’s willingness to trade him. I think unless they feel like they have a strong chance to land Bledsoe he’ll probably stick for the time being, as there’s not really a strong trade market for anyone in the league right now, outside of the Kevin Love talks. I’d expect to see his name in rumors again toward the start of the season."
Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free throw line last season. Ilyasova averaged 11.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 40.9% from the field, 28.2% from beyond the arc (he has a career averaged of 36.6%) and 82.3% from the free throw line.
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