The Bucks may be close to signing point guard Ra’shad James, according to Gery Woelfel of Woelfel’s Press Box. James has never played in the NBA, but he seems to be attracting attention after a long list of stops in the D-League and overseas. “We’ve had interest in the Bucks and they have had interest in Ra’shad,’’ James’ agent, Bill Neff, told Woelfel. “Nothing is finalized; there’s still some paperwork to do. But both sides want to do it.’’ A product of Iona, the 6’1″ James spent the end of last season with the Westchester Knicks in the D-League and averaged 16.5 points in 15 games. He averaged 14.2 points in five games with Milwaukee’s summer league team in Las Vegas. The Bucks have an opening for James, Woelfel notes, as they have 13 players under contract and are expected to re-sign Steve Novak.
There’s more news out of Milwaukee:
- Bucks management understands the need to be patient with first-round pick Thon Maker, GM John Hammond said in a video interview with Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. Milwaukee took the 19-year-old 10th overall with the understanding that he would need to develop strength and grow into his 7’1″ frame. Hammond said the Bucks would like to see Maker eventually add about 20 pounds. He noted that Maker played very well at the start of summer league, but wore down quickly.
- Matthew Dellavedova‘s feisty attitude and physical defense are just what the Bucks have been lacking, writes Gary D’Amato of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Milwaukee acquired the Australian point guard in a sign-and-trade with the Cavaliers after reaching a four-year, $38MM agreement with him. “I’ll go from being a younger guy on a veteran team to more of an older veteran on a younger team,” he said. “So I’m looking forward to that opportunity. They’ve got a lot of young guys with potential and length, obviously. Playing against them, I know they’ve got a lot of potential there.”
- Despite a two-year ban for violating the league’s drug policy, O.J. Mayo insists his NBA career isn’t over. In a video on TMZ, Mayo said he has already filed an appeal of the ruling. Mayo averaged 7.8 points in 41 games with the Bucks last season.