After a year in which he averaged 19.1 points and 5.5 assists, third-year point guard Brandon Jennings might seem to be a pretty good candidate for a contract extension in Milwaukee—he is eligible for one this offseason.  But they may not want him, read more after the jump.
But, according to Racine Journal-Times reporter Gery Woelfel, the team is not going to be in a hurry to lock up Jennings. On his Twitter feed, Woelfel quoted Bucks general manager John Hammond saying of a
Jennings extension, “It’s not something we have to do.â€
Jennings, on Twitter, retweeted the quote and added, “At least they made it clear…. I respect it!!!!â€
Sporting News was able to catch up with Jennings’ agent, Bill Duffy, at the Celtics-Hawks playoff game here at TD Garden. Duffy said he had heard about Hammond’s comment. “I was surprised by it,†he said. “But I was mostly surprised because it was not something that we have sat down and talked about.† Duffy said it was likely that those discussions would start in the coming week.
If the Bucks opt not to give Jennings a long-term deal this offseason, he would be slated to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2013. Hammond is right in that, even if the Bucks don’t sign Jennings right away, they will maintain his rights and can match any offer other teams can make.
There is some risk to that, though, depending on how this year’s free-agent market plays out. Nets point guard Deron Williams will be a free agent, and the Nets and Mavericks are expected to make a push for him. Suns point guard Steve Nash, too, will be a free agent. By the time this summer ends, there could be several teams—the Suns, Nets, Mavericks, Raptors, Hornets, Kings, Jazz—with cap space and a need for a point guard.
That could make the upcoming season important for Jennings. “Welp…. This will be one of my biggest years coming up!!! Then the Summer should be interesting!!!†the Bucks point guard posted to his Twitter account.
