The Milwaukee Bucks have been one of the most active teams this offseason while gaining and losing players from last year's roster and now that Monta Ellis has signed with Dallas Mavericks, the team has finalized some moves of their own, making the contracts of free agents Carlos Delfino and Zaza Pachulia official.
According to ESPN.com, the Bucks officially signed Delfino and Pachulia on Wednesday after agreeing to deals earlier in the offseason and it comes as the team is still working on a deal or a trade with restricted free agent point guard Brandon Jennings. Delfino previously played for the Bucks and now returns after spending last season with the Houston Rockets, averaging over 10 points in 67 games. Delfino will make $6.5 million guaranteed in the first two years of the deal at $3.25 million and the contract includes a team option in the third year that brings the contract to $9 million.
Pachulia's deal brings him back to the Bucks as well and is for three-years and $16 million and he returns to the franchise after playing with them during the 2004-05 season. Pachulia played for the Hawks the past eight seasons and averaged 6.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 74 games for the Bucks during that line year. Pachulia played for new Bucks coach Drew in Atlanta last season and averaged 5.9 points and over six rebounds per game.
Delfino previously played for the Bucks from 2009 to 2012 and averaged 10.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists during that time while appearing in 178 games. Delfino is a solid three point shooter and he will help make up for the offense that will be missing on the roster after Monta Ellis signed with the Dallas Mavericks. Ellis was the leader of the team last season and decided to opt out of his contract that he originally signed with the Warriors to become a free agent.
The Bucks also acquired guard Luke Ridnour from the Minnesota Timberwolves and the biggest key for Drew and the immediate future of the franchise likely rests on whether they can get a deal done with Jennings. The team has said that they want the point guard to return, but reports have come out about various sign and trade options that could come into play, including with the Detroit Pistons, who have made some noise this offseason by signing Josh Smith.
