2013 Central Division Position Power Ranking: Small Forwards
4,) Milwaukee Bucks
Oct 12, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Caron Butler laughs after he was ejected from the game against the Charlotte Bobcats in the 4th period at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Small Forwards:
– Caron Butler
Production: 2012-2013 season: 10.4 PPG; 2.9 RPG; 1 APG
Value: 3-years – $24 million(2010); $8 million this season (Expiring Contract)
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 14.1 PPG; 4.5 RPG; 2.9 APG
– Carlos Delfino
Production: 2012-2013 season; 10.6 PPG; 3.3 RPG; 2 APG
Value: 2-years – $6.5 million; $3.25 million this season
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 9.3 PPG; 2.4 RPG; 1.4 APG
– Khris Middleton
Production: 2012-2013 season: 6.1 PPG; 1.9 RPG; 1 APG
Value: 3-years – $2.7 million; $778,000 this season (Rookie Deal)
Projection: 2013-2014 season: 7.0 PPG; 2.0 RPG; 0.9 APG
– The Bucks have been wheeling and dealing since the last season’s final buzzer. They have totally revamped their roster, adding 12 new players in the offseason, including an entirely new small forward position headlined by hometown guy Caron Butler.
Butler, also had quite the active offseason, being traded more than once. He was sent to the Phoenix Suns in the three team deal that sent J.J. Redick to the Clippers, and then Phoenix packaged Butler to the Bucks in a salary dump later in the summer. Caron is projected as the starting small forward, given that the Bucks a needed boost at that position before the start of the season.
Milwaukee also brought in former Buck Carlos Delfino, who was playing in Houston last season. Along with Delfino, Milwaukee swung a sign-and-trade deal with Detroit to bring in point guard Brandon Knight and small forward Khris Middleton, who found himself buried on the bench for the most part of last season. Detroit fans saw it in glances last season, Middleton, in time, could develop into a deadly mid-range shooter, just like the famous Richard “Rip” Hamilton did for many years as a Piston.
Milwaukee may not be the deepest at small forward, but they do have enough to sustain them throughout the season.