Bucks decline option on Alexander
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Bucks general manager John Hammond said Monday he's decided not to pick up a $2.76 million option on forward Joe Alexander's first NBA contract.
Alexander, a standout at West Virginia, was the eighth overall pick of the 2008 draft and Hammond's first pick as general manager after replacing Larry Harris. Hammond selected forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute in the second round of that draft and Mbah a Moute has turned out to be a key contributor.
Alexander, however, has been a bust after appearing in just 59 games off the bench his rookie season. He averaged 4.7 points and 1.9 rebounds last year and opened this season on the inactive list after re-aggravating a right hamstring strain. The injury will keep him out of play for at least eight weeks.
Hammond said it was a difficult decision to let Alexander go to free agency after this season.
"We believe Joe can be a good NBA player, but his latest injury had hampered our ability to further assess his progress," Hammond said in a statement. "Joe has missed valuable on-court development opportunities due to injury."
With the decision, Alexander will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
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