Since taking over as Milwaukee Bucks general manager on April 11, 2008, John Hammond has shown he’s not afraid to make a deal. I’d go as far as to say he’s probably talking about a trade right now. He’s made more trades in his tenure than I have in the last 10 dynasties I’ve done in NBA2K. In a little over two years at the helm, Hammond has made 12 trades. For perspective on that number, the Bucks last general manager, Larry Harris, made 11 trades in his entire term as general manager (July 2003- April 2008). But this shouldn’t be too surprising. Given the situation Hammond walked into when taking the Bucks job, trades were the only way out. Milwaukee was in salary cap hell with a roster full of under-performing, me first, offensive players.

Not every move has gone smoothly for Hammond. The initial acquisition of Richard Jefferson was a flashy way to start things off, but didn’t pan out. Had Michael Redd stayed healthy and Joe Alexander given the Bucks anything at all, maybe the story of Jefferson in Milwaukee plays out a little differently, but things ended as they did. Jefferson’s stock dropped so far so fast that only a year later, he was dealt for what looked like virtually nothing at the time.

Oddly enough though, it’s now possible to make a case that the Bucks won that deal. Kurt Thomas played a key role for Milwaukee down the stretch and Amir Johnson was a part of the deal that brought another starter, Carlos Delfino, to Milwaukee. Meanwhile, Jefferson is now looking at another $40 million plus coming his way and Johnson is locked in for $30 some million himself. Milwaukee arguably has the most productive player of those three in Delfino and is paying him by far the least. That looks like a win to me.

And that’s been a common theme in Hammond’s deals. Whether it’s a non-contributing Malik Allen going to Denver for Sonny Weems or a nearly worthless pick going to New Jersey for Chris Douglas-Roberts, Hammond has had a knack for buying low in the trade market. There are many reason’s why Milwaukee has turned things around so quickly, but Hammond’s aggressive moves in the trade market have played as significant a role as any. Read more…

Toronto Raptors (Jay Triano) 10-13

(Likely) Inactives: Jose Calderon, Reggie Evans and Patrick O’Bryant

at

Milwaukee Bucks (Scott Skiles) 9-11

(Likely) Inactives: Joe Alexander, Francisco Elson and Michael Redd

Date: 12/9/2009

Time: 7:00 (CST)

TV: FS Wisconsin

Match-Ups

Point Guard

Brandon Jennings vs. Jarrett Jack

Calderon did not make the trip to Milwaukee, so it’ll be Bosh’s buddy Jarrett Jack taking the lead against the Bucks.  The same Jarrett Jack who stopped to tie his shoe during play against Chicago last week.  Chicago didn’t seem to mind though.  Jack is a big strong point guard in the Billups mold, but not so savvy.  He’ll be handful for Jennings, but doesn’t really excel at anything.  He’s not a terrific scorer, isn’t a great shooter and doesn’t get to the line very often.  There’s a reason he’s a backup at this point in his career.  Still, he could give Jennings problems if he forces the issue, but with so many skillful offensive players on the court with him, it’s unlikely he will.

Advantage: Bucks Read more…