Bucks let Charlie Villanueva go
Unless the guy is a major disappointment, a team will usually extend the qualifying offer required to make a player a restricted free agent. In the last year of their rookie contract, players are generally still affordable, so average to decent players usually end up as RFAs for a year before hitting unrestricted free agency the following summer.
I told you all of that to tell you this — the Bucks elected not to make the qualifying offer of $4.6 million to perimeter-oriented power forward Charlie Villanueva, who averaged 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds last season. In 47 games as a starter, he averaged 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. He can now sign with any team he likes and the Bucks will receive no compensation. I expect that he’ll garner at least a mid-level deal on the open market. His defense is definitely suspect, but he’s young (24) and can really put the ball in the hole.
I sure hope that general manager John Hammond explored all of his options before making this decision. It seems like Villanueva holds enough value to pry a first round pick or a prospect away from a contender (how about a J.J. Hickson-for-Villanueva swap with Cleveland?), but this decision, coupled with the Richard Jefferson giveaway last week indicate that the Bucks are in serious cost cutting mode.
The good news is that, with the move, Milwaukee should be better able to match offers for Ramon Sessions, who is a TSR fave.
Posted in: NBA, NBA Draft, News, Rumors & Gossip
Tags: 2009 NBA free agency, 2009 NBA free agency rumors, 2009 NBA free agents, 2009 NBA offseason, Charlie Villanueva, Charlie Villanueva free agent, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Bucks rumors, NBA free agents, NBA rumors, Ramon Sessions, Ramon Sessions free agent
Wow – pretty surprising. They are pretty much letting him fall in Cleveland’s lap!
Assuming the Bucks made the qualifying offer — as a Cavs fan would you give up Hickson for him?
Tough call, but probably yes.
One question for the Cavs – if you could get Villanueva for 4 years for the mid-level, or get Rasheed Wallace for one year at the mid-level, which one would you rather have?
I suspect that ‘Sheed will probably insist on at least a two-year deal, but let’s assume that he doesn’t…
I think you have to go with Villanueva. He’s 24 and still improving, and he’s a great asset. Wallace was good in his heyday, but really trailed off last season. Plus, he doesn’t solve the Rashard Lewis problem. If you play Wallace with Shaq, Wallace still has to guard Lewis, and he can’t guard Lewis. I think Rasheed made sense before the Shaq trade because he has a rep for being a pretty good post defender, but now that Shaq’s on board I think they need a smaller power forward to stay with Lewis on the perimeter.
The problem with Charlie V is that his defense is pretty woeful. Part of this has to do with the fact that he’s not strong enough to cover a post PF on the block and he’s not quick enough to cover any small forwards on the perimeter. But he should be able to hang with Lewis. Another problem with Villanueva is that he has a tendency to disappear when he’s not a top option on offense. And when he’s out there with LeBron, Mo and Shaq, he’s going to be the third or fourth option on most plays.
Another question is who matches up better with Boston? I’d lean ‘Sheed because Garnett is a tough matchup for both Shaq and Villanueva.
Thx.
I agree – V makes more sense.
I suspect his defense will improve. Also, with Shaq I suspect they won’t have to double Howard as much – they got burned leaving the Magic players alone behind the 3-pt line.
If they get him and keep Andy, then I like their front line, particularly with the young players as well on the bench as insurance.
Varajeao is walking from that mess and that will definately hurt the Cavs. And I think that is why Detroit dominated Orlando in recent years. For one, they have great perimeter defense and had single coverage on Dwight. Sheed is the best post defender in the league He will be an asset to any championship team.
But they better be winning, or Sheed will play like he doesn’t give a shit.