With key moves finished, what’s next?
Bucks could add veteran perimeter shooter
When it comes to NBA free agency, there are gaps between when agreements occur and when pen goes to paper making those pacts official.
So over the past few days, the moves made by the Milwaukee Bucks shouldn’t have come as a surprise. They were all previously known and expected.
To recap: Khris Middleton inked his five-year, $178 million deal to stay in Milwaukee; Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews officially joined the team via
free agency; and on Tuesday, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the brother of Bucks superstar and league MVP Giannis, signed a two-year, minimum contract.
Each of those agreements was expected for at least a week before consummated and made official. However, they represent the end of the reported deals in place for the Bucks. With only 13 of 15 roster spots filled – not including the pair of two-way contracts available to each team – there’s still plenty for the Bucks to do during the rest of free agency.
Here’s a look back at what’s occurred this offseason, where the Bucks stand and what could be on the horizon for the rest of the summer.
Making moves
In: Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, George Hill, Robin Lopez, Wesley Matthews, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Jon Leuer
Out: Malcolm Brogdon, Tony Snell, Nikola Mirotic, Leuer, Tim Frazier, Pau Gasol
The Bucks’ first major move of the summer involved trading Snell and the 30th pick in the draft to the Detroit Pistons for Leuer. That move was solely made to free salary cap space, since Leuer had just one year left on his contract at about $9.5 million while Snell was on the books for two years and nearly $24 million.
Making this trade – at the steep cost of a draft pick – gave the Bucks enough room to re-sign Brook Lopez. By waiving and stretching Leuer, Milwaukee also then had enough cap space to bring back Hill.
Every other re-signing or addition has come using an exception. The Bucks had Middleton’s “Larry Bird” rights, allowing them to go over the cap to extend a significant payday, the largest contract in team history though less than the max deal he could have gotten. Robin Lopez arrives using the Room MidLevel Exception, while Matthews and Thanasis Antetokounmpo are on minimum contracts.
Milwaukee’s biggest loss of the summer was a doozy, with Brogdon going to the Indiana Pacers on a four-year, $85 million deal. The Bucks could have gone over the cap – and certainly over the luxury-tax threshold – to bring back Brogdon since he was a restricted free agent. Instead, they negotiated a sign-andtrade with the Pacers, netting a lotteryprotected first-round pick and two second-round picks instead of losing Brogdon for nothing.
Bucks roster and cap situation
Guards: Eric Bledsoe, Sterling Brown, Pat Connaughton, Donte DiVincenzo, Hill, Matthews
Wings: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Middleton, D.J. Wilson
Bigs: Ersan Ilyasova, Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez
While it seems like the NBA has been shaken like a snow globe this summer with big-name players shifting around the league, the Bucks have banked on consistency. Ten of the 13 players under contract were with the team last year, including four of five starters.
Even the three additions are familiar faces. Robin Lopez is Brook’s twin, Thanasis Antetokounmpo is Giannis’ brother and Matthews had been a star at Madison Memorial High School and Marquette University.
Though the changes haven’t been as massive as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George teaming up with the Los Angeles Clippers, Anthony Davis going to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving uniting with the Brooklyn Nets or Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul trading places, the Bucks – coming off a 60-win season – are still considered to be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. There’s still a healthy roster balance of talent and versatility, though replacing Brogdon’s two-way production will be of paramount importance.
The decision to move on from Brogdon, a significant contributor during his three seasons in Milwaukee, likely will allow the Bucks to avoid paying the luxury tax – something that would be inevitable should Giannis Antetokounmpo elect to sign a supermax extension next summer. By avoiding the tax now, the Bucks keep the clock stopped on hitting the repeater penalty, which adds further costs for teams that pay the tax in three out of four years.
With 13 players signed, the Bucks are about $6 million under the luxury-tax line. Since they are over the salary cap, they can fill their remaining two spots only with players who agree to minimum salaries.
So who can the Bucks still sign?
With an offensive attack that emphasizes three-point shooting, the Bucks could always use more shooters. Adding to their wing depth, particularly when it comes to size, could also benefit the
Bucks. With the Lopez twins as the only true centers on the roster, a third big man could be a useful insurance policy.
As much action as there has been during free agency, there are still plenty of players available who could help the Bucks. They’re reportedly in the mix for veteran sharpshooter Kyle Korver, who is also considering the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers after being waived by the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks also were one of many teams that watched a workout involving veteran free agents Monta Ellis and Amar’e Stoudemire.
Korver, who played for coach Mike Budenholzer in Atlanta and holds him in high regard, is undoubtedly the best fit among that group even at age 38. He made nearly 40% of his three-pointers last year and is a 42.9% three-point shooter for his career. In Milwaukee, he likely would get plenty of open looks and would have enough plus defenders alongside him to make up for any lack of mobility.
Those three players aren’t the only options, though. If the Bucks are looking for established veterans at the twilight of their careers, Vince Carter, Jamal Crawford, Shaun Livingston, Devin Harris and Raymond Felton are all still serviceable rotation players. Should Andre Iguodala get bought out by Memphis – a big if considering the Grizzlies would prefer to trade him – he’s certainly a good fit for the Bucks.
If the Bucks are looking for veteran players closer to their primes, Trey Burke, Justin Holiday, Iman Shumpert, Shelvin Mack and Jonas Jerebko are among the unrestricted free agents still on the market. J.R. Smith, who sat out last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers hoping for a trade, also could be waived soon and join the free-agent pool. He may be a streaky shooter and a questionable locker-room fit, but his skills still could be intriguing for the Bucks in the right role.
Of course, the Bucks also could take a developmental approach with at least one of their remaining roster spots. Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Sam Dekker and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot – all first-round picks in the past five years – are unrestricted free agents. The Bucks also could scour the market for players who went undrafted in June.