Column: RICK SOLEM
ricks@mwfbroadcasting.com
Nobody wants Brandon Jennings.
Not even the Milwaukee Bucks … hopefully.
Maybe Bucks general manager John Hammond has come to his senses seeing as nobody has made Jennings an offer.
Then again, this is the GM that just offered Monta Ellis a ridiculous three-year, $36 million offer, which Ellis turned down and appears to be taking $11 million less to play for Dallas.
The Bucks offered Atlanta Hawks 25-year-old point guard Jeff Teague a four-year, $8-million dollar offer Wednesday night. He averaged 14.6 points (45% shooting), 7.2 assists and 2.9 turnovers last season.
Atlanta has three days to match Milwaukee’s offer. It’s not clear whether they will. The coach that loved Teague is now the Bucks coach (Larry Drew).
Atlanta is as desperately in need of a point guard as Milwaukee … but not SO desperate that they’d sign Brandon Jennings (23). Or even make him an offer … yet.
As of now, there is no news coming out on other teams wanting Jennings. None. Jennings, like Teague, is a restricted free agent, so their teams can match any offer.
The only news with Jennings was the sign-and-trade between Milwaukee and Atlanta to swap the guards. But that seems dead with Milwaukee’s offer, but probably isn’t completely off the table.
The stupid thing here: Jennings wants $12 million a year. Laughable.
Denver point guard Ty Lawson just got $11.9 million a year for four years. Golden State’s Stephen Curry is getting $11 million for four years. Difference between them and Jennings: They’re good at basketball!
If nobody signs Jennings, which would be an eye-opener (but doubtful) for the disgruntled point guard who now, as it appears, is only overrated by one person, himself … but if no team makes him an offer, the Bucks would retain their qualifying offer of $4 million for next year and then he’d be a free agent.
That would be the perfect scenario for Milwaukee. They could do away with him easily in a trade or just let him go and say good riddance. He’s said good bye and good riddance to Milwaukee for three years now.
Jennings, who averaged 17.5 points (40% shooting), 6.5 assists and 2.5 turnovers, told reporters three years ago he will explore his options. Three years ago? Later that season he told OnMilwaukee.com, “I can’t say I’ve been playing hard the last couple games because I really haven’t. I need to look in the mirror and ask myself is this something I’m up for.”
He’s been saying things like this too long and it’s refreshing to see that teams and fans have finally recognized what an ass sounds like and refuse to bring the cancer into their locker room.
And now that I’ve written that, news will surely come out tomorrow that the Bucks are signing Jennings for his $12 million a year. Don’t worry, that won’t happen. It can’t!
Then again, Hammond just tried to resign Ellis. And he did sign then 28-year-old journeyman, Drew Gooden, to a five-year, $32 million contract. A contract Milwaukee has to amnesty now with two years remaining on a guy that played in 16 games last year. That’s averages out to $412,000 a game.
And when I say journeyman, I mean journeyman. Gooden played for eight different teams in six seasons before Milwaukee. And then the Bucks sign him up for five years at a ridiculous amount making him un-tradeable.
And Hammond apparently didn’t learn from the debacle. He’s reportedly signed Atlanta 29-year-old center Zaza Pachulia to a three-year, $15 million contract. What? Pachulia averaged 5.9 points and 6.5 rebounds last year.
So, the Bucks clearly know what they’re doing – #Sarcasm.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who traded Milwaukee Luke Ridnour on Thursday, just signed Ronny Turiaf to a two-year, $3.1 million contract. He’s the same player as Pachulia, and signed for $12 million and a year less.
So, don’t be surprised if you see Jennings get what he wants. Sadly, it seems like a no-brainer that the Hawks match Milwaukee’s offer for Teague. And then Milwaukee would be without a point guard.
At least it seems the general consensus among everyone but Hammond, perhaps, is that they’d rather see Jennings walk for nothing than have him back.
How do you feel about it?