This Milwaukee BucksTo put it bluntly, they had one of the weirdest seasons in the NBA last year. Acquiring Damian Lillard in a trade with the Portland Trailblazers for Jrue Holiday (Grayson Allen was sent to the Phoenix Suns) was their most notable move in terms of their player personnel. However, the trade came so delayed in the offseason that Lillard and his modern team barely had time to prepare for the season together.
Of course, there was also the much-debated and questionable hiring of Adrian Griffin as the Bucks’ head coach. During his compact time with the Bucks, it was clear that there wasn’t much of a defensive strategy and that he was quickly losing the locker room.
Of course, Griffin was fired despite the 30-13 score and replaced by Doc Rivers.
Milwaukee Bucks struggle to find identity in 2023-24 NBA season
When Mike Budenholzer was the Bucks’ head coach, Milwaukee had a reputation for being an elite offensive and defensive team. It was clear then that Giannis Antetokounmpo was the star, and the rest of the team was capitalizing on him.
The addition of Lillard, while a shrewd move, came too delayed in the offseason for the two stars to find the best way to play together, leaving the Bucks without a clear identity last season.
While Giannis continued to dominate and Lillard was named an NBA All-Star Game starter, the on-court product was much less than expected. After Griffin was fired, the Bucks went 16-19 under Rivers.
To be fair, health played a significant role in the Bucks’ struggles. Giannis, Lillard and Khris Middleton played just six games together after Rivers took over. With their stars battling various injuries, it quickly became clear that Milwaukee’s roster wasn’t built to be a solemn contender.
Milwaukee Bucks sign former Miami Heat point guard Delon Wright
One of the players Milwaukee brought in last season to lend a hand right the ship was point guard Patrick Beverley, who they acquired in a trade for Cameron Payne. While Beverley played well for Milwaukee and helped improve the defense (albeit only slightly), he is too pricey for the Bucks to bring back in the future.
Instead, the Bucks have turned to free agency, where they can sign players at the veteran minimum level. Earlier today, Eric Nehm from Athletics reported that Milwaukee has agreed to sign quarterback Delon Wright:
In their first move in free agency, the Bucks have found a way to lend a hand fill that first need [guard size] signing Delon Wright to a one-year deal, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
Wright, a 6-foot-5 point guard, split time between the Washington Wizards and the Heat last season, averaging 4.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 47 games.
Wright also played for the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks.
The Bucks, who has shot 35.4 percent from 3-point range in his career, will be hoping Wright can provide the necessary shooting and defense off the bench.
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