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Milwaukee Bucks rumors: Bucks unlikely to trade Ersan Ilyasova, O.J. Mayo

By Andrew Melnick

Nov 9, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (center) sits on the bench with guard O.J. Mayo (left) and forward Ersan Ilyasova (right) in the 2nd quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Sanders did not play after suffering a hand injury in an off-court incident. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (center) sits on the bench with guard O.J. Mayo (left) and forward Ersan Ilyasova (right) in the 2nd quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Sanders did not play after suffering a hand injury in an off-court incident. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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It has become quite clear the Milwaukee Bucks are building around their last two first round picks, swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo and forward Jabari Parker (and possibly big man Larry Sanders if he has his head on straight). That had led to speculation the Bucks could deal veterans like guard O.J. Mayo and forward Ersan Ilyasova.

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“Unlikely,” Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders wrote when asked if the Bucks planned on dealing either Mayo or Ilyasova. “Wouldn’t get any value for them. They both need to come and play, to be worth something in return.”

That contradicts most of the information that has been out there but Kyler is right, teams really aren’t interested in dealing for Mayo or Ilyasova because both are coming off of poor seasons. Ilyasova because of his ability to knock down shots from the outside as a power forward is the more likely candidate to turn things around and potentially be dealt. Teams like the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets could really use a stretch four like Ilyasova so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of those teams make a move for Ilyasova at some point.

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 last season. Mayo put up 11.7 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 40.7% from the field, 37.0% from three and and 86.4% from the charity stripe last season.

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