NBA Preview: Ellis and Ilyasova key men for Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks

Placing last season: 31-35 (9^th in Eastern Conference)

Key moves: Having traded away Andrew Bogut before the trade deadline last season, the Bucks were in need of help at center.

They got this through a trade for Samuel Dalembert, essentially just trading away bit-part players. The Bucks also added John Henson through the draft. Henson will offer more size, playing at power forward

Challenges ahead: This is really a team in transition. It is not in a place to win a huge amount of games with a few above average players but no stars.

It is Monta Ellis’s first full season in Milwaukee and he will be keen to make an impact but his shooting percentages leave a lot to be desired.

Dalembert is a step down from Bogut on the offensive end of the floor but should remain on the court for longer than the injury-prone Australian.

They will be running to stand still, just missing out on the playoffs.

Reasons to be positive: If Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings get hot they can shoot the lights out and leave any team reeling.

The team will be looking for some progression from the promising Turk Ersan Ilyasova who could establish himself as the team’s best player.

Prediction: 38-44 (9th in Eastern Conference)

image: © Keith Allison

Jason Torquato

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Jason Torquato has always been passionate about sport and has played golf and tennis from a young age. In recent years, he has mostly enjoyed sport from his sofa, which has allowed him to accumulate knowledge and good understanding of numerous disciplines, with a special focus on American sports. Jason can’t fall asleep or wake up without listening to a sport podcast.