Bucks 2033-34 Pre-season Presser

[IamQuailman]

I feel like I come up here every season talking about how the previous season was a whirlwind, good or bad chaos flying around. Well last season we had the highest of hopes, but then injuries to numerous players out front, specifically a 2-3 sim injury for De'Aaron Fox, really put our team behind the 8-ball after feeling like we should have run away with our division based on pre-season projections and media conversations. Maybe we read too much good press and got a big head. Everyone shares a piece of the blame pie for that one I suppose... but then the tension started to thicken between the front office and De'Aaron Fox. De'Aaron is by far one of (if not) the best players in this league, and well... we just felt like he was settling. His drive that we loved and saw for numerous seasons had dissipated. So we started shopping him around quietly... and then he found out. It got ugly... but in the end, it worked out for both parties. He got a new home on a team that is loaded with potential... we got a great return for him and some truly foundational pieces in Justin Rodriquez and Chadwick Dangerfield.

Coming into last season we were fortunate enough sign Josh Schumann in UFA, and being able to pair a phenomenal scorer and athlete like Justin Rodriquez with him is just perfect for us. Dangerfield has the ability to really because a premiere floor general in the league if he continues to grow into his abilities. During the season, we also discovered Bertram Pugh on waivers after he had been cut by the Spurs. He was a huge surprise for us, and honestly had a legitimate stake in the Rookie of the Year race had he been playing for us a month or two sooner. We capitalized on our expiring players older vets, acquiring picks and cash to become more liquid as an organization as well. These would pay off very soon.

In the end, we finished with the 5th worst record in the league, as it was a big growing experience for the young core. This led to us getting the 6th overall pick in the draft, where we selected Peter Harker. We traded back into the draft to grab the #9 and draft Zylan Cheatham. We were pretty happy to have this depth in our wings, but with training camp looming and insurance only protecting a select few, we as an organization started to wonder if now was the best time to strike... while we had capspace and attractive assets. We attached a future 1st to Thomas Edison to clear more space, and then, after striking out in RFA, hit a home run on the trade market in trading Harker and Cheatham to the Timberwolves for Ja Morant. We've been enamored with him for a while, and he's such a great addition to this squad.

In free agency, we brought back Pugh and Paris, but our big time addition was Derick Hunter, a shot-blocking monster in the paint. We look forward to having his dominating presence anchoring us down low. We filled out the remaining roster spots after training camp, notably the return of a couple familiar faces: Wilburn Clark and Todd Dearing.

It's truly an exciting year ahead of us. After the turmoil of last season, it feels like we've already turned the page to a new chapter in our storied franchise's history book.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: What are the Bucks' goals and expectations for this season?

[false9]

What's your starting five look like? Will you tinker throughout the season?

[IamQuailman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: What are the Bucks' goals and expectations for this season?

If you had asked us ahead of the draft, I would say youth development and improved win total... maybe push for 7th seed if all works out great?

But now, after trading for Morant and signing Hunter, we are aiming even higher. We want to win the Division THIS year and for years to come. Being in the same conference as the Kings and Lakers and Nets, winning it all this year would be difficult but it’s not completely out of reach. We are definitely more win now than win eventually

[IamQuailman]

What's your starting five look like? Will you tinker throughout the season?

Starting 5

C: Derrick Hunter
PF: Wilburn Clark (Limited minutes)
SF: Josh Schumann
SG: Justin Rodriquez
PG: Ja Morant

Bertram Pugh will be our 6th Man and getting starter level minutes off the bench.Will definitely tinker a little, depending on the output of our starters.

[Keepit100]

Alex Sayuck - Laser Eye Basketball Magazine

Guess this will be a 2 parter - Did you make an attempt at Luka Doncic as well during the offseason or was Ja Morant always the target? Morant's arrival also means that Dangerfield goes to the bench - is there a particular aspect of his game that you want him to improve upon while playing backup to Morant?

[IamQuailman]

Alex Sayuck - Laser Eye Basketball Magazine

Guess this will be a 2 parter - Did you make an attempt at Luka Doncic as well during the offseason or was Ja Morant always the target? Morant's arrival also means that Dangerfield goes to the bench - is there a particular aspect of his game that you want him to improve upon while playing backup to Morant?

We actually never targeted Luka. We had player at his position we like a lot so it wasn’t really an option for us. Honestly, Ja Morant deal happened in a matter of like 30 minutes. The conversation happened only because I asked... so I guess had I not inquired at all I would’ve just stayed pat.

As for Chadwick, it takes a lot of pressure off him to be a big time contributor right away. We may tinker with some small ball lineups featuring Chadwick and Morant as our starting guards, but honestly we want to put Chadwick in the best position to succeed.

[greepleairport]

Greeple here, live from the airport:

Do you feel pretty set with your squad for the season, or will you be making to look any additional roster moves to round out your crew this year?

[IamQuailman]

Greeple here, live from the airport:

Do you feel pretty set with your squad for the season, or will you be making to look any additional roster moves to round out your crew this year?

We are definitely looking to make one more move at least to secure some depth at SF, but that will probably have to come after Dec 15

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Honestly, if you squint a little, this year's Bucks look similar to last year's Bucks prior to the Fox deal - a strange, yet capable, blend of young vets and developing prospects, with room to maneuver cap-wise if necessary. With that in mind, can you honestly say that you're 100% committed to this squad no matter what, or will we see another flurry of moves at the first sign of underperformance?

[IamQuailman]

Random Reporter: Honestly, if you squint a little, this year's Bucks look similar to last year's Bucks prior to the Fox deal - a strange, yet capable, blend of young vets and developing prospects, with room to maneuver cap-wise if necessary. With that in mind, can you honestly say that you're 100% committed to this squad no matter what, or will we see another flurry of moves at the first sign of underperformance?

Who's 100% committed to a squad these days? lol

There are some pieces here that we would like to leverage and put together to bring in a little more power off our bench... whether that's a Guard or Forward, we haven't decided yet. But You can definitely expect another move. I'm much happier with this quad than last year's though. The make-up is more... effective? We've improved the 2 & 3 positions without loosing much at the PG spot.

[NOLa.]

With your team clearly in rebuild mode how many seasons do you think it will take for you to put up enough fight to be taken seriously by the Lakers and Kings?

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[greepleairport]

With your team clearly in rebuild mode how many seasons do you think it will take for you to put up enough fight to be taken seriously by the Lakers and Kings?

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=8961