The Bratwurst – Milwaukee Bucks Blog

It wasn’t the luxury tax.

The Bucks could have offered a qualifying offer to Villanueva for about $4.5 million this year — a 1 year deal that would have allowed him to be a restricted free agent this year or made him a free agent next year. However, instead they let him walk now. Why?

As a favor to his agent. It would be sort of a dick move to try and force Charlie V to play out one more year with the Bucks when they don’t have any intention of signing him to a long term deal. As I’ve mentioned before, I never thought they felt he was worth a big raise, considering Scott Skiles couldn’t see fit to give him over 30 mpg last season, even though he was their best player the second half of the season. Honestly, I agree with that assessment.

By the numbers, Villanueva had his best season as a pro last year, but he did it in the same way that Zach Randolph looked great in his final season with Portland. Villanueva took more shots this past year than he ever has in the past. Because he’s a pretty efficient scorer that makes his overall numbers look great compared with his past body of work. But put him on a good team (or a team with several other efficient scorers) and he will get fewer shots and his numbers will drop. He’s a great $4 million/year player, but a lousy $10 million/year player.

Meanwhile the Bucks needed to clear the roster spot. Assuming Bruce Bowen gets bought out and adding Brandon Jennings and Jodie Meeks, the Bucks would have 16 guaranteed contracts if Villanueva is included (and assuming that Elson and Allen pick up their options). But they would need to get the roster down to 15. They could have released (but still paid) Salim Stoudamire, but they might have to do that anyway should Ersan Ilyasova decide to come back to Milwaukee (and is not included in a trade). This also assumes Meeks makes the team. The last roster spot might come down to Stoudamire’s guaranteed contract vs. Meeks’ non-guaranteed one.

So why do a favor for Villanueva’s agent, Jeff Schwartz by allowing him to negotiate a new contract for Charlie V without the threat that the Bucks would match any offers? Because his firm, Excel Sports, represents another member of the team, one that management likely has a sweet spot for. Somebody who they will want to resign in a couple of years, but someone who they will try to avoid breaking the bank for.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.