In Ersan Ilyasova, the Milwaukee Bucks will get a great role player that fits perfectly into what they’re trying to do on the offensive end.
The Milwaukee Bucks were quick to make moves once free agency began, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $21 million with Ersan Ilyasova, according to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.
While obviously not the flashiest of signings, Ilyasova played a crucial role in the Philadelphia 76ers‘ run to the second round of the playoffs last season, and will most likely do the same in Milwaukee, a spot he played in for seven years early in his career.
Ilyasova actually played for new Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer during his short stint with the Atlanta Hawks, so he should be somewhat familiar with the coach’s offensive schemes early on in training camp.
Ersan Ilyasova has agreed to a 3 year, $21M deal with Milwaukee, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
The Bucks are a team that hasn’t quite lived up to its potential over the last few seasons, flaming out in the first round or not qualifying for the playoffs at all.
Bringing in a veteran like Ilyasova — a guy who can shoot the basketball and is a former member of the squad — is a great step in the right direction for a team with one of the brightest futures in the NBA.
Over the course of a career that’s spanned a decade, Ilyasova has proven himself as one of the better outside shooters in the game, clocking in at 36.6 percent from beyond the arc for his career.
For a Bucks team that ranked in the bottom third in both 3-pointers made and attempted last season, his presence will be a welcome addition. His value as an outside shooter could benefit Milwaukee in the same way it did the 76ers, who brought in the Turkish sniper for a similar purpose.
In Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, Philly had the star power, but it needed shooters stationed around the court to provide maximum space for the duo to operate in.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo developing into a full-fledged superstar, the Bucks have their go-to leader, but have yet to surround him with players who command attention on the 3-point line — until now.
Ilyasova’s presence helped get the 76ers to the second round of the playoffs. Don’t be surprised if it has a similar effect in Milwaukee.
With his ability to shoot from the perimeter coupled with his size at 6’10”, Ilyasova will allow the Bucks to trot out some dynamic offensive lineups. What coach Budenholzer could do is slot Ersan at the 4 and Antetokounmpo at center while still allowing him to handle the basketball.
A scenario with Ilyasova and Giannis in the frontcourt would also make the Greek Freak Milwaukee’s primary rim protector, something the 6’11” Antetokounmpo is more than capable of with his ridiculous wingspan and athleticism.
In Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have one of the most versatile players in the entire league, and with Ilyasova on board, they can experiment with different lineup combinations without sacrificing space on the offensive end — something guys like John Henson and Tyler Zeller don’t allow for.
It’s lineup scenarios such as these that represent the modern NBA, which embraces multiple styles of play at any given moment and will allow Milwaukee to keep up with the rest of the league.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Ilyasova’s shooting is great, but it’s the height that comes with the shooting that will make the Bucks a dangerous team offensively for the foreseeable future.