The Milwaukee Bucks made a move to lock up a part of their future today, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that they have locked up center Larry Sanders to a four year contract extention worth $44 million. The deal will reportedly also include bonuses that could push it to being worth $48 million. With Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis both in new homes, the Bucks are looking to start a new rebuild, and Sanders will be right in the middle of it, both on the court and off it as the new face of the franchise.
Sanders, 24, took big steps forward in a breakout season for the Bucks this year. He averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game on the year. Sanders is also on his way to become an excellent defensive centre and should effectively protect the inside for the Bucks for years to come.
The 2.8 blocks per game were good enough for 2nd in the NBA in blocked shots. Sanders was 7th in NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting, and received an invite to the Team USA minicamp in Las Vegas this summer.
Sanders was entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal, and according to the CBA the Bucks had until October 31st to extend him, or see him become a restricted free agent next season. With teams always looking for big men who can play tough defence around the rim, he surely would have attracted some interest on the market assuming he has another strong season this year.
Sanders was the Bucks first round pick, 15th overall, in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Virginia Commonwealth University. He has spent his entire three year career with Milwaukee.
The Bucks took the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot this past season, but were swept in the first round by the Miami Heat. Sanders though averaged 10.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in the series.
Sanders will work with the new Brandon Knight and O.J. Mayo backcourt along with new head coach Larry Drew in attempting to continue to build upon last season, and improve their standing in the NBA as they attempt to make other teams truly “Fear the Deer.”
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