Ersan Ilyasova to Re-Sign With Milwaukee Bucks for $45 Million Over 5 Years

According to the Journal Sentinel, Ersan Ilyasova will return to Milwaukee next season and beyond, and be a much richer man for it: “The Bucks have reached a deal on a multiyear contract with power forward Ersan Ilyasova, a league source confirmed Sunday. The deal is for five years and as much as $45 million, although guaranteed dollars and the bonus structure of the contract have not been disclosed. The Bucks made a strong push to re-sign the 6-foot-10 Ilyasova, who also drew interest from Brooklyn, Toronto and several teams in Europe. Bucks general manager John Hammond released a statement with regard to the situation on Sunday night. The statement said: ‘We are engaged in free agent negotiations with Ersan Ilyasova. We intend to enter into a player contract with Ersan once the moratorium period has ended.’ Free agents cannot sign contracts until Wednesday. Ilyasova’s deal puts the Bucks barely over the $58 million salary cap, but they still can acquire players through salary exceptions and trades. The Bucks have their full mid-level exception of $5 million to use if they choose to do so. The Bucks have not renounced their cap hold on unrestricted free agent Carlos Delfino. But it appears unlikely the Bucks will bring back the Argentine forward for a fourth consecutive season. Ilyasova heads a group of power forwards that includes veteran Drew Gooden, third-year pro Ekpe Udoh and rookie John Henson. Gooden played at center last season due to injuries to starter Andrew Bogut and the eventual trade of Bogut to the Golden State Warriors. […] Ilyasova averaged 13 points and 8.8 rebounds last season and was one of the top power forwards on the free agent market this summer.”