Why are the Milwaukee Bucks gauging interest in Monta Ellis and thinking about moving the 27-year-old shooting guard? After this season, Ellis can exercise his Early Termination Option to become an unrestricted free agent. Most people around the NBA expect Ellis to leave that final $11 million on the table to test free agency, which means Milwaukee may lose Ellis for nothing this summer if they don’t move him now.

Brandon Jennings will also be a free agent after this season, but he’ll be restricted so the Bucks can (and likely will) match any offer that he receives. That makes Ellis the more likely guard to be dealt, and several teams have been calling Milwaukee in recent weeks to express. If the Bucks move Ellis, it’s so they can get something in return for him now rather than letting him walk this summer.

— Alex Kennedy