Bucks Linked to Bledsoe, Lin

With Milwaukee Bucks Summer League set to get underway tomorrow evening from Las Vegas, there have been plenty of rumblings around the circuit that the team has interest in acquiring a point guard to run the team going forward.

This past Saturday, Marc Stein of ESPN.com tweeted that Bucks have kicked the tires on a possible trade for Rockets' PG Jeremy Lin, are also working on pitching an offer sheet for Suns' coveted restricted free agent point guard Eric Bledsoe and looking at Greivis Vasquez.

In addition to weighing possible trade for Lin, I'm told Bucks are pitching offer sheet to RFA Eric Bledsoe and pursuing PG Greivis Vasquez
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 5, 2014

Vasquez re-signed with Toronto last night on a 2-year/$13 million contract, so naturally, he's out of the question now. It's down to Lin or Bledsoe.

If I'm honest, it's unlikely the Bucks land either of these guys. My explanation:

Jeremy Lin makes $15 million for the upcoming season but due to a weird contract loophole, he will only count $8 million toward the cap. Regardless, the Rockets need that space to be able to sign Chris Bosh to the absurd contract they offered him this week. To put it simply, Lasry & Edens might not think that Lin is worth paying $15 million (and they'd be right).

Also, there is a conspiracy out there that since Rockets' GM Daryl Morey and Sixers' GM Sam Hinkie go way back, they'd be willing to help each other out in a trade. The Rockets want cap space and the Sixers want MOAR assets.

Lin might slightly derail the Sixers' second consecutive blatant tank season but they would probably be willing to take the risk if they get a first-rounder and another prospect (Clint Capela?) for their troubles. Bucks fans have serious doubts at John Hammond's ability to win a trade because we typically get fleeced in all deals we're a part of (see: JJ Redick trade where we could have theoretically obtained Bledsoe in the first place).

Speaking of Bledsoe, the thought around the league is that the Suns are going to match any offer sheet that Bledsoe is offered. Chances are, the Bucks would have to offer a 4/$64 offer sheet for Bledsoe to make the Suns think twice but even then, I've come to terms with the fact that the Suns, who have a ton of cap space themselves, will not hesitate to match.

The only outside chance the Bucks have is that Bledsoe has been in contact with new Bucks' head coach Jason Kidd has gotten through to him that he can be the coach to take him to the next level. Bledsoe would be a good fit with forwards Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo going forward. Bledsoe is a point guard that excels with the ball or without the ball.

One thing to think about with the Suns is whether they like Goran Dragic or Bledsoe more or if they think they can both play together long-term. I see no reason why they can't but if Bledsoe commands $16 million a year, Dragic is going to look to earn pretty close to that much himself. That's a lot of money to be tied up in a backcourt.

Anyway, the Bucks already have one true point guard on the roster and his name is Nate Wolters and he'll be attending Bucks' Summer League along with Parker and Giannis, among others.

Brandon Knight is also a "point guard" on the Bucks current roster but it's pretty apparent he's a combo guard at best and most likely a shooting guard.

It's refreshing to see that Bucks' management isn't forcing Brandon Knight as a point guard.

'Til next time.

-Big Money