This Milwaukee Bucks are in an captivating situation this offseason. On the one hand, they have two superstars in their lineup: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Such a duo will ensure that the team will be at least competitive in the regular season. Khris Middleton as the Bucks’ third option is also a huge plus.
On the other hand, Milwaukee also has some challenges this offseason. They pay their top players so much money that they are in the second zone of the NBA’s luxury tax. That means the only free agents they can sign are two-way players (and there are a circumscribed number of them) and experienced players who are willing to play for the league’s minimum wage.
With an aging roster, the Bucks also have a need to develop juvenile players who, while they may not play right away, can contribute down the road. It was this need that led them to select AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Milwaukee Bucks sign former Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Umude to two-way contract
It was this need that was behind the Bucks’ recent move in NBA free agency. According to Eric Nehm of AthleticsMilwaukee signs former Detroit Pistons wing Stanley Umude to two-way contract:
“The Bucks have agreed to a two-way contract with Stanley Umude for next season, according to a league source. Will Whitson of The Walk Pod was the first to report the deal.”
Like Bucks fan favorite Bobby Portis, Umude played at the University of Arkansas, where he averaged 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 37.1 percent from three-point range.
Before transferring to Arkansas, Umude played four years at South Dakota. His 2020-21 campaign saw him average 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 35 percent from three.
Umude has appeared in just 25 games for the Pistons over the past two seasons, as he has spent most of his time in the G League. In those games, he has averaged 5.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, but shot 44.4 percent from three.
Last year, playing for the Motor City Cruise of the Detroit G League, he averaged 16.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
What’s next for the Milwaukee Bucks?
As mentioned, the Bucks can’t afford to sign any free agents who won’t sign for the veteran minimum. Sure, they can continue to look for some of these players, but the only way they’re going to get the talent they need from them is via a trade.
Brook Lopez is a name linked to trade interests of numerous teams, including the San Antonio Spurs.
Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton have also been mentioned as potential trade candidates.
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