A Few Bucks Notes

From various sources (incl Woelful):

Several NBA officials and agents believe the Bucks have offered Williams a contract for about $40 million over five years.
Several other teams are believed to be interested in Williams, including Indiana, Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, those teams can only offer Williams the mid-level exception of $5.8 million per year. The aforementioned teams could also try to acquire Williams in a sign-and-trade deal, but none of those teams has a point guard the Bucks certainly would want in return.

I cannot believe Mo would not sign for that. He cannot get an offer for more without a sign and trade and I don't see why the Bucks would facilitate that.

However, Roger Montgomery, the agent for former Bucks forward Desmond Mason who played last two seasons for the New Orleans Hornets, confirmed Harris had called him Sunday morning. While Williams is unquestionably Harris’ priority signing in free agency, he has a keen interest in bringing Mason back to the Bucks.

Isn't he an older DeShaun Stevenson, but who can't shoot? I think Stevenson is about to get 3 years, 10 million. I would be fine with brining in Mason if we aren't paying him much, but still.

The Associated Press also reported the Bucks had contacted forward Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Hornets. The Bucks are reportedly one of eight teams pursuing Wallace.

I love Gerald Wallace. I am starting to wonder how all of these players would fit?

Rotoworld:

Yi Jianlian had 15 points and eight rebounds in China's 91-75 loss to the United States' 19-and-under national team Sunday.
Yi scored 11 points in the fourth quarter after the U.S. team had stretched its lead to 20 points. He played 23 minutes, going 3-of-8 from the field and 8-of-12 on free throws. When asked if he'd had any contact with the Bucks, Yi said, "I don't want to talk about that." It's possible that these 15 points are more than he will ever score for the Bucks. In case you've been out of the loop, Yi was drafted by Milwaukee on Thursday, but doesn't appear to have any interest in playing in Wisconsin.

Not looking good. But then:
jsonline.com

Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl has written a letter to the team's first-round draft pick, Yi Jianlian, requesting a meeting with the 7-foot power forward.

Good thing the senator is not dating himself with this 'letter sending.'
Hopefully the telegram he is going to send reaches Yi in time.

"Our agent team had meetings to study this case immediately after the draft," Yi's Chinese agent, Zhao Gang, told SportsTicker. "Yi's selection at six has proved his capabilities and his value.

"However, we feel that the Bucks are not the best fit for Yi Jianlian. Our team will make contact with other teams who have watched Yi's training and games to see if there is any possibility of a trade."

Harris is definitely doing the right thing by not wavering on his stance. I think this will get resolved pretty soon - in either direction. One thing I was wondering: Can other teams talk to Yi and his representation to work out a trade without our permission? I know they can't in the NFL, but I don't know here.