There had been speculation that if Ersan Ilyasova got bought out by the Atlanta Hawks, the 30-year-old forward might opt for a third stint with the Milwaukee Bucks. Instead, the Philadelphia 76ers appear likely to begin their second Ersan era.
Ilyasova played 53 games with the Sixers last season before being traded in February to Atlanta. The 6-foot-10 stretch-four is a proven 3-point threat and could help Milwaukee on the boards, but the Bucks have a new coach, a new general manager and only a handful of players remaining from Ilyasova’s last season there (2014-15). Ilyasova came into the NBA with Milwaukee in 2006-07, then returned to the Bucks after two years playing in Spain.
Keith Pompey of Philly.com wrote about Ilyasova’s history with and appeal to the Sixers:
The Sixers first acquired Ilyasova on Nov. 1, 2016, from the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with a 2020 first-round draft pick, in exchange for Jerami Grant. Ilyasova averaged 14.8 points and 5.9 rebounds and shot 35.9 percent on three-pointers in 53 games — 40 starts — with the Sixers.
The Turkish player also was a mentor for Croatian player Dario Saric and a solid locker-room presence. However, the Sixers traded him to the Hawks on Feb. 22, 2017, with a 2017 second-round pick for Tiago Splitter and two 2017 second-round picks. A 10-year NBA veteran, Ilyasova signed a one-year, $6 million deal to stay with Atlanta on July 21. He is averaging 10.9 points and 5.5 rebounds in 46 games, including 40 starts, for the Hawks (18-42).
The Sixers would have to create a roster spot to sign [him].
