Bucks sign first-rounder Jennings to multiyear contract

[The Goods]

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Milwaukee Bucks signed first-round draft pick Brandon Jennings to a two-year contract worth almost $4.5 million on Tuesday.

 

Jennings was picked 10th overall in June and signed the rookie-scale deal that includes team options for 2011-12 and 2012-13.

 

The slot for the 10th pick pays at least $3.75 million over two years, but teams can sign players for slightly than the scale. Jennings will make a just over $2.16 million this season and $2.33 million in 2010-11.

 

"I'm excited to sign my contract and make my NBA career official," Jennings said. "I look forward to working with Coach (Scott) Skiles and learning everything I can from him, as well as my teammates. I can't wait to get the season started and contribute to the success of our team."

 

Jennings, 19, is expected to be the point guard of the future for the Bucks and general manager John Hammond has repeatedly praised Jennings' unselfishness. Milwaukee's other top point guards include Ramon Sessions, who is a restricted free agent and has a qualifying offer from the Bucks, and Luke Ridnour, who has one year left on his contract.

 

Playing in the summer league in Las Vegas, Jennings led all players in assists (8.2) and steals (3.6) while scoring 14.6 points in the five games.

 

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/07/28/bucks.jennings.ap/index.html

[AtTheDriveIn]

You know, in the beginning, I wasn't too high on Jennings for a number of different reasons, but even aside from the probable demand more money (because as if Milwaukee is just going to throw more money at him, they're strapped for cash), I'm starting to like what I'm seeing and hearing from him.

 

First, is the summer league is any indication (and it's usually not), his distributing skills are better than previously reported anywhere on the net. There were comparisons of combo guards who shot first, but I didn't see much of that; rather, I saw a player trying hard to make his teammates look good. And the conversation in the news article right there, where Jennings said he's looking forward to working with Skiles in improving himself as a player; Skiles is tough on rookies; Jennings respects that and still wants to improve his game with him. It's a good sign. Just with that quote, he instantly became a rookie to watch for me.