The draft was the beginning of a significant offseason makeover to the Milwaukee Bucks roster.
The long-term outlook caused many to scratch their heads as the Bucks passed on some perceived NBA-ready prospects. The Bucks drafted AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith, two 19-year-old prospects who are pretty raw and aren’t ready to join an NBA rotation. It was a bit surprising with the Bucks’ limited assets and shrinking NBA title window to go with developmental players.
With no trades of main cogs this offseason in Milwaukee, Bucks GM Jon Horst bet on himself to find valuable players on the veteran minimum to improve the Bucks’ roster. To his credit, he found three valuable free agents in Gary Trent Jr., Delon Wright and Taurean Prince.
The signings bring much-needed versatility to the Bucks and are improvements over the guys they are replacing.
Bucks hit home run in free agency
Not many expected the Bucks — or anyone for that matter — to be able to sign Trent Jr. on a vet minimum deal.
The seven-year pro averages 14.3 points per game in his career on 38.6% shooting from 3. Trent Jr. has also proved to be a respectable defender. He is just 25 years old and averages 1.5 steals per 36 minutes for his career.
While many consider him more for his offense, he isn’t a turnstile at the defensive end.
Another sneaky part of Trent’s addition is making Lillard more comfortable on the court and living in Milwaukee. Chatter surrounded Lillard last season about being lonely in Milwaukee. Well, having a former teammate in Trent Jr. should help Lillard acclimate himself more smoothly in Cream City.
Malik Beasley left in free agency with a nice pay raise, but Trent Jr. should not only ease that loss but improve the 2-guard spot. Pundits are praising the shrewd move of signing Trent Jr. and many consider it one of the top under-the-radar signings of the offseason.
Despite veteran signings, Bucks get younger, more versatile
Patrick Beverley is also out, as the Bucks found a more versatile combo guard in Delon Wright.
The best part about Wright is at 6-foot-5 he can run the point with the backups and with his size and defensive prowess, can play next to Lillard as well. Wright is four inches taller than Beverley (6-1), can handle the ball and better defend taller guards as well.
Wright is also a great fit with size and a career 110 defensive rating. He isn’t in Milwaukee to score but to do all the little things. He also will be a versatile defender against starting point guards. Wright averages 2.1 steals per 36 minutes for his career.
Taurean Prince is going to be a valuable and much-needed 3-and-D player. He will basically be a younger Jae Crowder.
Prince is versatile, able to guard the 2-4 positions and knock down 3s offensively. Last year, Prince shot 39.6% from 3 and averaged nearly nine points per game. Despite what seems like a long career already, Prince is only entering his age-30 season making him a Young Buck compared to the Bucks roster a season ago.
Any other moves in free agency for Bucks?
The Bucks are likely done in free agency with a full roster, but they did recently bring in a wing for a workout.
If say, Terence Davis was signed, a move would have to happen for the Bucks. Davis isn’t eligible for a two-way contract.
The 27-year-old averaged 8.0 points over 16.1 minutes per game in his five-year career. He played in the G League a season ago after five seasons in Toronto and Sacramento.
One move many Bucks fans have wanted — and could still happen — is Pat Connaughton being traded in a salary-dump move. The Bucks can make trades and not match salary if it gets them below the second apron, which they are approximately $6 million away from doing so.
While it’s not necessarily a must-do transaction, the Bucks could move on as Davis for Connaughton would be an interesting roster swap. Connaughton has been with the Bucks since 2018 and is no doubt someone Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have built a bond with. Having said that, Connaughton is not a $9-million-a-year player anymore.
Also, the Bucks have better wing depth this season. With Wright playing some wing, Prince, Trent Jr., A.J. Green and potentially time for a younger and more athletic defender in Andre Jackson Jr., Connaughton’s playing time could be sparce.
Despite limited resources, Bucks get better in free agency
The roster needed depth versatility and athletic ability.
Horst has done so despite the obvious financial restrictions facing the Bucks with only minimum contracts in free agency. The quality of free agents Horst brought to Milwaukee is a boon for the Bucks.
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