Bogut shows up on Bucks’ radar screen

Andrew Bogut is a free agent.

And, yes, the Milwaukee Bucks have interest in him.

Bogut, who played his first seven seasons in the NBA with Milwaukee after the Bucks made him the No. 1 overall selection in the 2005 draft, was recently waived by the Los Angeles Lakers. League sources said Monday night Bogut has cleared waivers.

That means Bogut is free to sign with the team of his choice. I was told shortly after Bogut cleared waivers that at least two teams expressed interest in signing him. The Bucks weren’t one of those teams, although a Bucks official said Bucks general manger Jon Horst, along with his staff, have thoroughly discussed the pros and cons of signing Bogut.

It is believed Bogut won’t make a decision until at least Wednesday.

The 7-foot Bogut would certainly help fill a conspicuous void for the Bucks: rebounding. Bogut has been a top-notch rebounder throughout his career, averaging 8.7 boards.

The 33-year-old Bogut appeared in 24 games this season for the Lakers, who had signed him to a one-year, $2.3 million contract. He averaged 1.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and nine minutes.

The Bucks have been in the market for a physical big man since they dealt Greg Monroe to the Phoenix Suns earlier this season, a trade that brought them starting point guard Eric Bledsoe.

The Bucks have also been linked to Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, who has a player opt-out after this season and who some NBA executives believe will be moved by the Feb. 8 trading deadline.

Another center who has been mentioned in connection to the Bucks is Phoenix enter Tyson Chandler, who is a good friend of Bucks coach Jason Kidd.