NBA Rumors: Bucks pursuing buyout with Larry Sanders

By Evan Massey | Feb 16, 2015

Nov 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders (8) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Bucks 124-83. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Milwaukee Bucks have begun negotiations with big man Larry Sanders on a potential contract buyout.

The Milwaukee Bucks are off to an impressive 30-23 start this season, but big man Larry Sanders hasn’t been a very big part of their success. In fact, Sanders has played in just 27 games so far this season, and the Bucks are already beginning to work on a contract buyout to get him away from the team.

With buyout talks officially underway, Larry Sanders is not expected to play for Bucks again. East's 30-23 upstarts moving on without him
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 16, 2015

There have been quite a few problems between the Bucks and Sanders over the last couple of seasons, and this buyout has been a long time in the making. Whether he has been sidelined by injuries or suspensions, he has missed multiple games since getting a new contract.

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His attitude has been awful when he has been on the court, and he hasn’t made all that much of a difference.

During the 2014 season, Sanders has averaged 7.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game. Those numbers aren’t going to get the job done for any starting NBA center, and the Bucks feel that their team chemistry is better when he’s not around.

It will be very interesting to see if the two sides can work something out, especially with the Bucks still owing three years and $33 million to Sanders after this season. That is a lot of money, and it will be very expensive for the Bucks to get something done with him.

Jason Kidd has done an excellent job with the team this year, and has taught them how to play team basketball. Milwaukee hasn’t played this type of basketball in what seems to be years, and they have been beating teams that are much better than them talent-wise all season long. The difference for them is that they aren’t a selfish team, and they are taking good shots and playing defense.

Assuming the Bucks do negotiate a buyout with Sanders, it will be intriguing to see which teams step up as potential suitors for him. There is always a market for a talented big man, even if he has attitude issues.

Sanders is just 26 years old, and has plenty of defensive potential especially. He is an excellent shot-blocker, but has quite a bit of work to do on the offensive side of the basketball. It isn’t likely that he would be without work for too long, but the attitude concerns are definitely there.

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