The Milwaukee Bucks and reserve power forward John Henson have agreed upon a multi-year extension. It was reported earlier on Friday that the team and Henson came to terms on a four-year extension that will start in the 2016-2017 season for around $45 million. Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the deal for $44 million and that it could rise to as much as $48 million if incentive clauses are met.
Henson, 24, was singled out by general manager John Hammond earlier this summer as one of the core six players for the future of the franchise.
In 200 NBA games, the 6-foot-11 Henson has started 43 of them and has been used as a versatile frontcourt defender, who can play both center and power forward in certain lineups. Although he just played 18.3 minutes per game last year, Henson put up 7.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks, fifth best in the league in that category. In fact, he blocked at least one shot in 20 consecutive contests from December to February last season.
Henson also made an impact in the 2015 playoffs. In six games, he has averaged 8.8 points and 8.0 rebounds and had his top postseason performance when he compiled his first career double-double in the playoffs on April 23 against Chicago with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks.
Ever since he played collegiate basketball at the University of North Carolina, he had superb defensive skills with a 7’6” wingspan that helped him become a two-time Atlantic Coastal Conference Player of the Year and First-Team All-ACC for leading the conference in rebounding and shot blocking as a junior.
The Milwaukee Bucks drafted him with the number 14 pick in the 2012 draft, and although his offense is still evolving, he has been a decent post scorer and has shot a career field goal percentage of 53.1 percent, third best in franchise history.