| Keeping Zaza A Big Deal Authored by Zach Eisendrath - July 26, 2005 - 2:18 pm
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With a thunderous off-season thus far, it is easy to forget that the Milwaukee Bucks have some unfinished business. The Bucks struck gold in the NBA lottery with a 6.3 percent chance and picked up 7’1” center Andrew Bogut from Utah with the first overall selection. That single-handedly, has secured this as a summer to remember for Bucks fans.
The re-signing of Michael Redd was necessary but not a given for much of last season. Once Redd was back in purple and green, Milwaukee went for a shocker. After extending a five year, 47 million dollar deal to power forward Shareef Adur-Raheem (which he turned down), the Bucks were able to surprisingly obtain forward Bobby Simmons from the Clippers. Simmons can play both the three and the four. The Bucks rounded out their spending spree by giving Dan Gadzuric 30 million dollars and former Michigan State/European League standout Charlie Bell a multiyear deal. However, I make the case that the Bucks biggest free agent signing has yet to happen and still may not.
Without a doubt, Michael Redd was the most important signing for the team to win right now. Bobby Simmons also gives us a much better chance to get back to the playoffs next season. That being said, at a time where the Bucks are making a handful of moves, we cannot forget about the impact Zaza Pachulia has had and could have if he remains a Buck. The 6’11”, 265 pound forward/center from the Republic of Georgia has tremendous upside potential. I know I sound like Hubie Brown during a NBA Draft, but it’s true. Zaza averaged around six points and five rebounds in a little less than 19 minutes per game. He is only 21 years old! He doubled his numbers from his rookie season in about seven more minutes a game. Imagine what he could do with more minutes!
That is where the problem starts and ends for Zaza and the Bucks. Zaza claims it isn’t about the money that it is about wanting more playing time. Can we believe him? His girlfriend was found shoplifting early this year, so the money definitely wouldn’t hurt them!
It has been rumored that one other Eastern Conference team has extended an offer Zaza’s way. My good friend “raferfenix” of the Bucks realgm board created his list of teams that may be interested, I suggest you check out the thread. Atlanta can without question give Zaza the most money and most playing time, you couldn’t fault him for going there. Orlando was Zaza’s first team and a fan favorite but would still be playing in the shadow of 2004 number one draft pick Dwight Howard. My friend “raferfenix” also suggested that Cleveland could be in the mix for Pachulia. If the Cav’s are able to move Drew Gooden, I think he would be a great fit there; not something Bucks fans want to hear.
The Bucks will most likely be alright for awhile if Zaza departs. They can go small and play Simmons at the four, which Larry Harris has stated will indeed happen. They can go big and play Gadzuric and Bogut together. Smith and Bogut will get the bulk of the minutes in the paint, something Zaza likely won’t be happy with. I remember how I thought Robert Traylor and Marcus Haislip both were going to be second comings of Vin Baker in his prime. Okay, so I was wrong. I also remember when Portland let Jermaine O’Neal go.
I’m positive Larry Harris is doing all he can to woo Zaza back to Milwaukee. This time though, it is out of Larry’s control. Zaza looks like he will have a bright future in this league. I’d rather be wrong once again, than see a 21 year old with this much promise change uniforms. |
