The Milwaukee Bucks they have not even come close to achieving the goals they set for themselves heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. After trading for Damian Lillard behind schedule in the offseason, he, Giannis Antetokounmpo and rookie head coach Adrian Griffin were expected to be one of the most dominant teams in the league and a contender to leave the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately this did not happen. Lillard and Giannis didn’t have enough time to develop the chemistry they needed to best complement each other on the court. Coach Griffin quickly lost the locker room (and fan base) and was fired midway through the season. Additionally, Milwaukee’s bench was woefully underwhelming, especially when they were needed most.
The Milwaukee Bucks had trouble overcoming injuries caused by needy bench play
Even before Doc Rivers took over as head coach, the Bucks had struggled with injuries throughout the season. After he took over following Griffin’s firing, Giannis, Lillard and Khris Middleton played just six games together.
With its stars injured and sidelined from time to time, Milwaukee was forced to rely on bench players like Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Patrick Beverley and Jae Crowder to pick up the slack. However, as the regular season drew to a close, it was all too obvious that none of these players would be able to adequately replace the injured starters.
Before the next season, it was already clear that Crowder would not return. Beverley has stated that he wants to play for the Bucks again and would be willing to re-sign with them, but he believes he deserves a raise and Milwaukee cannot afford to give anything other than minimum contracts to veterans.
Portis and Connaughton are under contract for next season, but both are also the best players realistically Milwaukee has (Khris Middleton isn’t going anywhere). Any of them could be shipped for better shooters and/or defenders.
The Milwaukee Bucks could add a local three-time NBA champion in free agency
As general manager Jon Horst plans the Bucks’ lineup for next season, it’s clear that Milwaukee needs two things: shooters who can also defend well, and a backup center. Even if Portis isn’t traded, the Bucks’ first-round loss to the Indiana Pacers proved that three large men won’t be enough for them. Giannis, Brook Lopez and Portis are good at their jobs, but if one of them gets injured, the team will be severely undermanned.
As mentioned, the only free agents the Bucks can afford are those willing to play for the veteran minimum. According to a recent report, one large man, who happens to be from Milwaukee, will become available soon and could be acquired for that amount.
Tim Kawakami z Athlete he said recently in an episode Warriors Plus Minus podcast to be released by three-time NBA champion center Kevon Looney when the NBA offseason begins:
“I think the most likely situation is that he will be released, make $3 million on them and look for another place in the league where there is another place for him. Teams will want him, again in very tiny numbers, but they will want him.
Even if Milwaukee retains Portis, Looney would be a great addition to the Bucks’ bench. Last season, the Hamilton High School graduate, who played mainly as a reserve, averaged 4.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game. As a starter in the 2022-2023 season, he averaged 7.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
Looney’s downside is that he’s not a shooter, and the Bucks benefit from sharing between Giannis and Lillard. However, having someone who can play good defense down low and grab rebounds off the bench is something the Bucks didn’t have last season.
Looney returning to Milwaukee could make a lot of sense.
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