The Milwaukee Bucks are in advanced negotiations toward a contract extension with promising big man John Henson, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com the Bucks hope to soon complete a deal with Henson that would seal him as part of a growing and blossoming core that includes guards Jabari Parker and Michael Carter-Williams, versatile forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, newly signed center Greg Monroe and re-signed forward Khris Middleton.
One source close to the talks described a Sirius XM NBA Radio report Sunday night that terms have already been agreed to as "premature," since there are still final negotiating hurdles to be cleared. But the source said the sides are indeed heading toward a deal that would further solidify that six-player base under coach Jason Kidd, who took the 41-41 Bucks to the playoffs last season in his first season in Milwaukee despite the club's considerable youth.
Henson is widely regarded as one of the league's underrated frontcourt defenders. He averaged a seemingly modest 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game, but also averaged 2.0 blocks per game to rank sixth in the league in that category, despite the limited playing time.
The 24-year-old -- who has been pursued via trade by several interested teams in recent years -- also posted a PER well above the league average (18.1) and saw his playing time increase to 25.5 minutes per game in the playoffs.