Milwaukee Bucks: 3 reasons signing Ersan Ilyasova is a good move

1. Bench production

Where Ilyasova is going to benefit the Milwaukee Bucks the most is by positively impacting the production off the bench.

The starting frontcourt is already set with John Henson/Thon Maker (depending on which way head coach Mike Budenholzer goes), Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. It is going to take a star to displace one of these players.

The backcourt of Bledsoe and Tony Snell proved to be solid yet unspectacular, especially in the playoffs. However, as a unit, the starters averaged  80.5 points, 27.8 rebounds, 16.7 assists, 6.2 steals and 4.1 blocks per game last year.

This means the entire bench unit averaged just 20.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Now, consider the possibility of Jabari Parker not being part of this bench. That production would drop to alarmingly low levels, placing all the pressure on the starting five again.

Where Ilyasova fits is his production is almost a lock. You can rely on the 10-14 points per game he’s going to get on a nightly basis. This will in turn allow other bench players a bit more freedom, because Ilyasova will be one of the main scoring options guarded in the second unit.

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

The production off the bench has held Milwaukee back, but this should be a step in the right direction. It might even help the Bucks get out of the first round of the playoffs next season.