The Milwaukee Bucks have not had the blockbuster offseason that they had last year. As many may recall, Milwaukee shocked the NBA by pulling off a trade for Damian Lillard late in the offseason. Prior to that signing, they had re-signed core players Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to multi-year contracts. They also brought in veteran guards Cameron Payne and Malik Beasley on veteran minimum contracts.
At the time, all of those moves were heavily praised by fans and NBA analysts. Unfortunately, none of them helped the Bucks win an NBA Championship right away as they were, once again, eliminated in the first round of the Playoffs.
Now Milwaukee is in the second apron of the NBA luxury tax and is unable to really add any free agents other than those who are willing to play for the veteran minimum.
The Milwaukee Bucks Signed Delon Wright and Taurean Prince in Free Agency
Mar 24, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (24) takes a shot over Miami Heat guard Delon Wright (4) during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee has not made many signings this offseason, but the two that they have made have been clear upgrades from last year’s roster. Delon Wright was signed to be the team’s backup point guard. He brings better defensive awareness and three-point shooting off of the bench.
Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince also signed with the Bucks, following his former head coach, Darvin Ham, to Milwaukee. He also brings a high level of defense and three-point shooting off of the bench.
In addition to these signings, the Bucks also drafted two 19-year-olds, AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith, in the 2024 NBA Draft.
None of these moves have been fancy, not that Milwaukee can afford to make high-profile signings at the moment.
That being said, one NBA analyst believes that the Bucks are in for a serious regression next season due to their lack of exciting offseason moves and determination to try and win with the core players that they have.
NBA Analyst Tim Legler Calls the Milwaukee Bucks a Play-In Tournament Team
Apr 7, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
In a recent episode of his All NBA Podcast, Tim Legler said of the Bucks, “There’s no change that was to me an infusion of adrenaline and excitement.” He added, “A lot of these other teams did, and I don’t feel (the Bucks) did. They kinda stood pat on a year that was disappointing.”
The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks both pulled off big trades and signings, vastly improving their rosters. The Boston Celtics, of course, are the defending NBA Champions.
Later, he listed what he believed would be the Eastern Conference standings at the end of the season, Legler listed the Bucks as the seventh seed, which would mean they would be in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament.
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Publish date : 2024-07-09 15:54:14
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