2018 NBA free agency grades: Milwaukee Bucks to sign Ersan Ilyasova

It’s back to the future for Ersan Ilyasova and the Milwaukee Bucks, as the 31-year-old forward from Turkey rejoins his old team after a 3-season hiatus.

Heading into the opening hours of free agency, the cash-strapped Milwaukee Bucks were not expected to be major players in any type of talent movement.

Completely disregarding those thoughts, Bucks general manager Jon Horst pulled the trigger on one of the first announced deals, by agreeing to sign Ersan Ilyasova to a three-year, $21 million deal.

The news was first reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.

For Ilyasova, it will be a return to where it all began, as he heads to the Brew City to help open a sparkling new arena next to the old Bradley Center he called home for many years. Ilyasova appeared in 453 games for the Bucks over seven seasons, knocking down 3-pointers and taking charges for numerous squads — who were inevitably chasing latter playoff positions.

But it’s a new era in Milwaukee, as franchise superstar Giannis Anteokounmpo has grown up since Ilyasova departed in 2015, and the expectations are continuing to rise for one of the thought-to-be future contenders in the Eastern Conference.

It’s a case of second time lucky for Milwaukee, with Sam Amick reporting the Bucks were interested in acquiring the bought out Ilyasova in February, before he eventually chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers for the playoff run.

Ilyasova contributed 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game during the regular season in his short stint in Philly, providing a significant boost on both ends of the floor. His numbers did slightly dip in the playoffs, but he gave every indication he has plenty left to offer in his twilight years.

The two biggest areas that Ersan figures to improve the Bucks in will be rebounding and shooting. Milwaukee ranked dead last in the league for rebounding and in the bottom third for 3-point percentage. A 36 percent career shooter from beyond the arc, Ilyasova looms as an invaluable floor spacer for Antetokounmpo — the kind they lacked after losing Mirza Teletovic early last season to a second bout of blood clots.

In an intriguing development, the move also looms as a potential precursor to Jabari Parker leaving Milwaukee this free agency period. A restricted free agent, Parker’s future with the Bucks hangs in the balance as rival suitors wait in the wings.

Further details of the deal recently came to light, as ESPN‘s Zach Lowe tweeted the third year is non-guaranteed. The Bucks will have the full $8.6 million mid-level exception to offer providing they stay out of the luxury tax zone (they should), and the Ilyasova deal appears to be the one they will use it on.

You could argue the Bucks may have jumped early on Ilyasova, or that they could have used the MLE on a younger player with more upside. But on a team that lacks physicality, rebounding and floor-spacing, the fit simply can not be denied.

After a three-season absence, Turkish Thunder is returning to Milwaukee and Bucks fans should be feeling pretty good about that fact. Essentially a two-year deal on reasonable money, Jon Horst has pulled off an early free agency agreement that, while not flashy, will likely be effective.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Grade: B