Is Ellis going to opt out?

[Sherman Douglas]

I know most reporters say he will. But that's because it's probably what he intends on doing right now.

But 11 million dollars is a lot of dough, and there are better options on the market. If his agent has any sense, he might advise Ellis to take the money, tough it out in Milwaukee for another year and then try the market next season.

The good news for some of you is that if he does opt in it probably means no Redick contract. The bad news for some of you is that it means no Redick contract.

But another year of Ellis? Another year of probably failed attempts to get something for him at the deadline? Kill me now.

[crkone]

All there needs to be is one dumb team to offer up a multi-year contract around 9 million a year I believe. I would think that if Atlanta busts, they may want Monta. But maybe the Bucks offer to beat that since they like Monta too.

[Fort Minor]

I don't think he will, and the thought frightens me.

[BigDoggyStyle]

I'm concerned about this myself. However, we can all hope that Redick ends up taking away his playing time. That will hopefully upset him enough to make him opt out and go elsewhere. We know Redick will outplay him for sure. We just have to hope it's by enough, and that Ellis also plays horribly. Then the playing time will sway to Redick.

[Baddy Chuck]

If there truly is a God, yes.

[Aaron It Out]

I'm almost 100% sure he will.

[crkone]

I think it's going to be a battle of wits between Boylan and Ellis. Does Boylan want a possible mutiny on his hands while he is trying to coach for a job when he takes a chance and tries to go for a better seed in the playoffs by playing Redick 35 a night? Or will he want to show Kohl he can get the egos under control by letting Ellis showcase his talents?

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

if he opts in we can just trade him. as an expiring hed be really easy to move for spare parts....OR probably even to a team that strikes out in free agency and absorbs that final year while preserving open space beyond it for 2014 when all the big names go back on the market.

[whatthe_buck!?]

If there truly is a God, yes.

This.
But honestly I think it's close to 50/50 and that the odds are more in favor of him opting in than opting out at this point so if I had to commit to predicting what happens one way or another I predict he opts in. Heres hoping he has an agent with the same amount of higher education as him. If the bucks were smart they would start planting the seed in his agents head about helping to facilitate a favorable sign and trade for Monta if he opts out...

[averageposter]

I think the scarier revelation is Josh Smith wants to play with him and we want Josh Smith. While I like Smith I fear for the concessions that might be made in his pursuit. I know Smith said he'd sign here play here with or without him, but if you are the Bucks and you want Smith and you have Ellis and Reddick both FAs with nothing else to fill a spot you have to fill in some way it could get ugly. I think it probably influences the decision in a disappointing way, opt in or out. Maybe Smith takes a tiny bit less because we bring Monta back. I can torture myself a number of ways with variations on this theme. There may be some efforts to make something work, depending of course on the actual market for those guys.

[BigDoggyStyle]

I think it's going to be a battle of wits between Boylan and Ellis. Does Boylan want a possible mutiny on his hands while he is trying to coach for a job when he takes a chance and tries to go for a better seed in the playoffs by playing Redick 35 a night? Or will he want to show Kohl he can get the egos under control by letting Ellis showcase his talents?

This is a good point. I think he'll continue to play Ellis. But the presence of Redick now gives him the option of playing Ellis less. Doubt that'll happen right away, but if Ellis keeps stinking up the place, we could see Redick dip into his playing time a bit. I hope that's what happens. He could spin it as wanting to keep Ellis more fresh down the stretch if he wants to.

[A Diddy2231]

I don't see him getting 11 million or more for a multi year contract, but he still will probably get a a good amount per year somewhere else. Hopefully he hates it here so much he's willing to make less next season, for the fact of signing a new multi year contract somewhere else

[jeremyd236]

Do you really want him to opt out? Obviously we want him off the team, but would Ellis have value as a (for sure) expiring contract next year? It takes away the cash we can throw at Jennings, Redick, and maybe Josh Smith, but we probably won't get Smith anyways. It'd be nice to get something for him.

[Sherman Douglas]

Do you really want him to opt out? Obviously we want him off the team, but would Ellis have value as a (for sure) expiring contract next year?

Yeah and this deadline gave me great confidence in Hammond to get value for good assets.

[Max Green]

He's opting out. Both he and his agent know there is some team willing to pay about him 4 times the $11m he will be giving up to become a free agent over the length of a deal. IF there is someone on the roster who truly thinks they are getting the max and wants to play in a big Market it's him. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up following Dwight to his new team next season, unless it's Brooklyn.