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Size Matters: Bucks add Sanders, Gallon and Hobson

Two days after adding a pair of veteran small forwards in Corey Maggette and Chris Douglas-Roberts, the Bucks' offseason plan took another big step forward. OK, so there's no guarantee that first round pick Larry Sanders (#15) or second rounders Darington Hobson (#37) and Tiny Gallon (#47) play significant roles in the 10/11 campaign, but the Bucks definitely got bigger, adding a combination of size, youth and versatility to a roster in desperate need of just that, particularly at power forward and center.

Despite all the talk that the Bucks might be wheeling and dealing with their bounty of second round picks, the Bucks made all four picks at their original spots before word first leaked that #44 pick Jerome Jordan would be sent to New York for cash considerations. That move hasn't been confirmed yet, but it makes sense given John Hammond's admission yesterday that the Bucks were unlikely to keep all four of their picks and the fact that Jordan was the one player picked who didn't work out for them in Milwaukee. Had they kept Jordan, that would have given the Bucks three big men with wingspans bigger than 7'4".

So where does that leave the Bucks going into free agency? Adding Sanders, Hobson and Gallon would give the Bucks 12 roster spots, not including Luke Ridnour, John Salmons and a veteran big man like Kurt Thomas. They can also waive Darnell Jackson and his NG'ed minimum deal, opening up another roster slot. The Bucks had a similar situation last year with Salim Stoudamire, picking him up at the end of the 08/09 regular season and taking a look at him over the summer before eventually cutting him at no cost. I'd guess the same happens with Jackson, though he'll have the Summer League to convince the Bucks otherwise.

Re-signing Ridnour is an obvious priority, though the Bucks could also choose from any number of veteran backups if Ridnour signs elsewhere. Either way the Bucks need another PG and will need at least one more guy who can play PG in a pinch, perhaps a combo guard who can also play some 2.

Though Sanders and Gallon bring long-term potential to the 4/5 spots, at this point I'd be surprised if Sanders cracked the starting lineup this fall and the 19-year-old Gallon is still a bit of a project who may need a year or two before he's a useful rotation guy. So it seems obvious for the Bucks to add a veteran big man, whether it's a potential starter like Drew Gooden or a cheaper backup big like Thomas. Which direction the Bucks go will be somewhat telling of their confidence in Sanders' ability to contribute immediately.