The Milwaukee Bucks still have some roster shuffling to do as a busy summer kicks off with Thursday's NBA draft. A young core returns on a promising Bucks squad, including 20-year-old Jabari Parker, coming off ACL surgery; 20-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo and 23-year-old point guard Michael Carter-Williams. But the Bucks have created $22 million of salary cap room, helped by the trade of veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova to Detroit. A good chunk of that money is expected to go to retain the services of restricted free agent Khris Middleton, another key part of the core group at age 23. The Bucks should have additional money to try to land a veteran free agent, possibly a big man such as Tyson Chandler or Brook Lopez. Will the free-agent maneuvering affect the Bucks' decision when they make their first-round pick Thursday, at No. 17 overall? "You might target some players you might not get (in free agency)," Bucks director of scouting Billy McKinney said. "If you can fill that need in the draft, that's also a positive thing. "Nothing is guaranteed until they agree to the deal and sign it. So we're kind of juggling a lot of balls right now and preparing for free agency. "We have 16 players on our roster right now so we're going to have to make some roster adjustments prior to the season starting." Two of those players are Caron Butler and Shawne Williams, acquired from the Pistons in the Ilyasova deal but not in the Bucks' plans. Both players have non-guaranteed contracts for next season. The Bucks have worked out some promising talents in recent weeks, including Arkansas power forward Bobby Portis, Louisville power forward Montrezl Harrell, Georgia State shooting guard R.J. Hunter and Arizona's defensive standout, small forward Rondae-Hollis Jefferson. - See more at: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/buck...-draft-free-agency-b99523301z1-308907651.html
