John Salmons. The name might evoke a sense of nostalgia for some NBA fans, particularly those who followed the Milwaukee Bucks in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Salmons was the kind of player who bounced around the league, a journeyman guard who, for a brief but memorable period, became a key offensive spark for the Bucks. He was that exciting addition, much like a friend who bursts into your life, bringing energy and excitement, before the initial thrill inevitably fades.
Salmons began his NBA journey with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, the team that drafted him. During his initial four seasons in Philadelphia, he was a role player, struggling to establish a significant on-court presence. His highest scoring average in Philly was a modest 7.5 points per game in his final season before he was traded to Sacramento. It was with the Kings that John Salmons began to see his production and responsibilities steadily increase. By the 2008-09 season, he was playing significant minutes, averaging 37 per game for Sacramento.
Alt text: John Salmons driving to the basket during his time with the Sacramento Kings, showcasing his athleticism and scoring ability.
Midway through that season, the Kings decided to trade Salmons to the Chicago Bulls. This move proved to be another positive step in his career trajectory. In Chicago, John Salmons truly blossomed. He averaged an impressive 18.3 points, along with 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists. What was particularly noteworthy was his shooting efficiency, boasting splits of 47.2% from the field, 41.7% from three-point range, and 83.0% from the free-throw line. His three-point attempts more than doubled, jumping from 1.5 to 3.8 per game, and his increased accuracy made him a compelling offensive threat in the backcourt. He seemed to be a player on the rise, capable of scoring efficiently with a larger offensive role.
However, his time with the Bulls was short-lived. In the subsequent 2009-10 season, Salmons experienced a dip in production, averaging just 12.7 points per game for Chicago. Then came another trade, this time to the Milwaukee Bucks in a midseason deal. The Bucks acquired John Salmons, along with two second-round draft picks and a pick-swap option, in exchange for Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander. This trade would prove to be a turning point, at least initially, for both Salmons and the Bucks.
Salmons’ arrival in Milwaukee was akin to a high-impact acquisition, immediately injecting an offensive spark into the team. He averaged 19.9 points per game in 30 games with the Bucks, shooting 46.7% from the field. His usage rate soared to a career-high 22.7% during this stretch, and he recorded his best win shares per 48 minutes (.165) and Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 17.6. Remarkably, Salmons also boasted a phenomenal +10.7 on/off net rating differential, indicating the team’s significantly better performance with him on the court. The “Fear The Deer” Bucks, as they were known, were gaining momentum, and John Salmons was the catalyst for their offensive surge.
Alt text: John Salmons in his Milwaukee Bucks uniform, celebrating a play, highlighting his impactful presence on the team during his initial run.
In the playoffs that year, while the Bucks heroically pushed the Atlanta Hawks to seven games, Salmons’ efficiency waned. His true shooting percentage dropped from 58.1% in the regular season to 49%. With Andrew Bogut sidelined due to injury, Salmons had to shoulder a heavier offensive burden. His three-point shooting plummeted to a dismal 17.4% on 3.3 attempts per game. Ultimately, despite a valiant effort, the Bucks, led by players like Zaza Pachulia, were eliminated by the Hawks.
Despite the playoff struggles, the initial impression of John Salmons in Milwaukee was overwhelmingly positive. General Manager John Hammond, sensing the team’s upward trajectory and Salmons’ apparent impact, made the decision to re-sign him in the offseason. Salmons inked a 5-year, $39 million contract, with the final year partially guaranteed. The plan was to build around him, pairing him with newly acquired Corey Maggette and Drew Gooden.
However, as has often been the case for the Bucks franchise over the years, things did not unfold as planned. Salmons’ true shooting percentage declined to a still-respectable 51%, but his PER regressed closer to his career average of 12.8. His free throw rate also dropped, signaling a decline in his ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line. The 2010-11 Bucks team failed to make the playoffs. Salmons’ scoring average decreased to 14 points per game, and his two-point field goal percentage fell from 49.7% during his initial 30-game Bucks stint to 42.7% in the subsequent season. He became the fourth-highest paid player on the team, behind Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, and Corey Maggette, a significant investment that was not yielding the expected returns. His once impressive net rating differential flipped, with the Bucks actually performing slightly better with him off the court. It was a disappointing season for both Salmons and the franchise.
In retrospect, Salmons’ individual production wasn’t drastically different from his career averages. The perception of decline stemmed from the high expectations set by his initial hot streak in Milwaukee. Fans had hoped his brief peak represented a new level of play, but it turned out to be just that – a hot streak. There wasn’t a sustained higher level for John Salmons to reach. Fortunately for the Bucks, John Hammond shrewdly recognized the signs of regression and managed to trade Salmons back to Sacramento after that season. This move, while perhaps not initially perceived as such by the Kings, proved beneficial for the Bucks in the long run, preventing Salmons’ contract from becoming a long-term burden.
John Salmons’ tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of momentum in the NBA. He arrived as a perceived savior, provided an immediate boost, and was rewarded with a significant contract. While his initial impact was undeniable, his subsequent decline highlighted the risks associated with relying too heavily on short-term surges. Ultimately, John Salmons’ Bucks story is a cautionary tale of a contract that burned brightly but faded quickly, leaving behind only a faint memory in Milwaukee basketball history.
