Ersan Ilyasova is kind of the "smart money" free agent of this offseason. A productive power forward who rebounds at a high rate, has range, can score inside and out, and works on defense. He's honestly one of the better value players in this class despite not having much hype around him.
And the Bucks know it, apparently.
Yahoo Sports reports that the Bucks have offered Ilyasova a five-year, $40 million offer sheet to retain him as a free agent. Using his Bird rights, they are the only team eligible to offer Ilyasova a five-year deal.
The Nets and Cavaliers are both also interested, according to Yahoo, but both would have to exceed his total money and do so in four years, something the Nets, cap strapped beyond all concept, are not able to do without a sign-and-trade, which the Bucks have no interest in. To put the deal in context, ask yourself if you'd rather have Gerald Wallace at four-years, $40 million at age 30, or Ilyasova at five-years, $40 million. If you answered Gerald Wallace, hello Billy King, I'm glad you're reading.
An $8 million offer for Ilyasova is honestly a steal given his production and the fact he's just 25, entering his prime. He's also reportedly weighing an offer from overseas. We'll have to see if the Bucks can hang on to the young man, as they desperately need a interior scoring with Samuel Dalembert, rookie John Henson, Ekpe Udoh, and Larry Sanders on roster.
