Knicks · Bucks have begun buyout negotiations with Larry Sanders (page 1)

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ESPN sources: Bucks have opened buyout discussions with big man Larry Sanders -->

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Buyout discussions have begun between the Milwaukee Bucks and Larry Sanders that would make the recently suspended big man a free agent, according to league sources.

Sanders has served a 10-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug program but has not returned to the team and is not expected to play for Milwaukee again. He has been listed as out for "personal reasons" in each of the Bucks' past three games.

Larry Sanders

AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Larry Sanders has not played since Dec. 23.

The 26-year-old has been adamant that he wants to resume his NBA career despite the personal struggles that have resulted in two league suspensions in less than a year.

"Soon you all will know the truth," Sanders tweeted last week.

When asked last week about Sanders' status, Bucks coach Jason Kidd told local reporters: "That will be determined during the break."

Because of thumb and eye injuries -- as well as suspensions -- Sanders has appeared in just 50 games for Milwaukee since landing a four-year, $44 million contract extension during the summer of 2013.

He's been one of the league's most impactful defensive big men when he's been on the floor, but the surprising Bucks -- off to a 30-23 start under Kidd -- have coped well without him this season, posting a 12-7 record in those games while relying on the likes of John Henson, Ersan Ilyasova, Zaza Pachulia and the recently signed Kenyon Martin.

NBA players don't face suspensions for violating the league's anti-drug policy until their third such violation. Sanders was suspended for the final five games of the 2013-14 season and, through the most recent suspension, forfeited more than $1 million of his $11 million salary this season.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/123328...

This is probably not the town for him and to me he is not worth the risk for anything more than $4-5M. I will say that Ny is in a position where they need to take risk on unstable players but they have to do it at a small price.

yellowboy90 wrote:This is probably not the town for him and to me he is not worth the risk for anything more than $4-5M. I will say that Ny is in a position where they need to take risk on unstable players but they have to do it at a small price.

Do you think he just signs for the minimum after he is bought out?

As talented as he is and would be great pick up I'd have to pass he doesn't seem to have his priorities in the right place.

Sanders has the same measurements as Cousins.

CrushAlot wrote:Sanders has the same measurements as Cousins.

What are you getting at or are you just making a simple statement?

CrushAlot wrote:Sanders has the same measurements as Cousins.

Cousins is like 275 pounds Sanders is like 230. Two different players.

How does a buyout work with a guy who is signed until 2017-8 at $11M/yr? Big difference from the Amare situation.

On a veteran team with strong leaders, he might have a chance to succeed. Knicks don't fit this description.

Playing in NYC could be an issue, but he screwed up in Milwaukee, which is not exactly known for big city perils... or is it?

Knicks could definitely use a shot blocker, but you cannot pay him significant $$ and very little, if any, should be guaranteed.

Not sure Phil will even give him a look, but who knows. I would only take him on if everything from us is non-guaranteed.

yellowboy90 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Sanders has the same measurements as Cousins.

What are you getting at or are you just making a simple statement?

Simple statement. It is one of the first things written on his draftexpress page. He has a 7'5 wing span.

CrushAlot wrote:

yellowboy90 wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:Sanders has the same measurements as Cousins.

What are you getting at or are you just making a simple statement?

Simple statement. It is one of the first things written on his draftexpress page. He has a 7'5 wing span.

Yeah but he gets over powered on defense. I am not sure why he would come to NY when a contending team might be willing to take a risk on him. He can always go to a team in the off season for more money if he wants to. He will be getting paid so I doubt that will be a serious issue but more money is more money.

WaltLongmire wrote:How does a buyout work with a guy who is signed until 2017-8 at $11M/yr? Big difference from the Amare situation.

On a veteran team with strong leaders, he might have a chance to succeed. Knicks don't fit this description.

Playing in NYC could be an issue, but he screwed up in Milwaukee, which is not exactly known for big city perils... or is it?

Knicks could definitely use a shot blocker, but you cannot pay him significant $$ and very little, if any, should be guaranteed.

Not sure Phil will even give him a look, but who knows. I would only take him on if everything from us is non-guaranteed.

Basically, since contracts are guaranteed the player has a lot of leverage. So, generally the best a team can hope for is to be able to buy them out for the total amount of the contract less what the player could reasonably make playing over that course of the contract for other teams on low cost/minimum deals, etc.

I would love to have him here. I thought he was a hard worker and a guy trying to improve his game while playing in the world cup USA scrimmages. He was handling himself well against Drummond and the rest from what I saw. Showing post moves and high energy. So his drug issues might be injury related. Anyway he could be a steal at a minimum deal. Not sure how the rules workout for players that are bought out. The Knicks have a slot open for him at the 4 or 5.

if he does figure it out... it will probably take 2 or 3 stops....

i would rather not be the first...

Sounds like he really likes to get stoned.

The 10-game suspension also could be the result of a first failed performance-enhancing drug test, according to the policy. But Sanders, 26, came out last year as an advocate for marijuana use.

"It's something I feel strongly about, just to let you know something personal about me," Sanders told The (Milwaukee) Journal Sentinel in April 2014. "I will deal with the consequences from it. It's a banned substance in my league. But I believe in marijuana and the medical side of it. I know what it is if I'm going to use it.

"I study it and I know the benefits it has. In a lot of ways we've been deprived. You can't really label it with so many other drugs that people can be addicted to and have so many negative effects on your body and your family and your relationships and impairment. This is not the same thing.

"The stigma is that it's illegal. I hate that. Once this becomes legal, this all will go away. But I understand for my work it's a banned substance. I will deal with the consequences and I apologize again to my fans for that."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba...

He's my #1 C/PF to put next to Towns/Ok4. I just didn't think he'd be available. GET HIM!

But we prob have no shot

Don't know his issues nor his work ethic.
If talented and yootier, he'll have opportunities.
Bucks I read will look to stretch his salary. He'd be wise to just let the season play out and then find the best opportunity for him on the court and off of it.

I'd take Denver off the list first!

gunsnewing wrote:He's my #1 C/PF to put next to Towns/Ok4. I just didn't think he'd be available. GET HIM!

But we prob have no shot

Agree. Not many guys get triple doubles with blocks.

How is he as a passer and IQ?

He was having a lot of off the court problems in Milwaukee. You guys think he will be able to straighten out in NYC? JR Smith should be a case study on what type of player we should not bring into the team.

To be honest he reminds me of that Raptors centre, who IT was interested in signing to the Knicks, but then went AOL. Think he ended up walking away from the game and just smoking weed. Can't remember his name now. Fair enough, if a players heart isn't in it anymore and they've made their money, I'd rather they walked away rather than just mail it in- hope he finds something more fulfilling. I think I take issue with the fact he'll get most of his money for doing nothing though!