John Hammond refuted the notion that the Milwaukee Bucks are in tanking mode heading into next season, when they will be without leading scorers Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings.

"Some people use these words like 'tanking,' so to speak," Hammond said. "We're by no means in that mode whatsoever."

"We're trying to remain competitive. I think we can be a competitive team. But also we really want to start focusing on the youth of this team and start talking about things like a championship-caliber team. Can they develop into a core like that? I think they can."

The Bucks acquired Brandon Knight in a multi-player trade that sent Jennings to the Detroit Pistons.