With NBA Free Agency drawing ever nearer, the Milwaukee Bucks will be among many teams on the lookout for point guards. What sort of options are available to them?
Even with arguably greater depth at the position than ever before, point guards remain one of the NBA’s most prized commodities, and that’s a trend that is unlikely to change any time soon.
No matter what direction the league heads in, teams will always require players who are comfortable with handling the ball, initiating the play and preventing opponents from doing the same on the opposite end of the floor.
As NBA Free Agency approaches with the salary cap set to reach record heights heading into the 2016-17 season, the pool of point guards set to come on to the open market isn’t as strong as many teams would likely have hoped.
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That doesn’t mean that there aren’t point guards who are capable of making a difference up for grabs though. What’s lacking in All-Star names is made up for with wily veterans, established role players and improving young talent.
For many teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, that may be all they need to add the missing ingredient at the lead guard spot.
Having discussed point guards in the draft, free agency and trade targets in great detail on the most recent Win In 6 Podcast, it seems worthwhile to dig a little deeper.
Let’s take a closer look at some of those who will be fielding contract offers this summer.
Next: Mike Conley
Mike Conley
There can be no questioning Mike Conley’s position at the top of the pile for this year’s free agent point guards, in fact, he’s likely to be one of the most coveted players across all positions.
Criminally underrated for years, Conley is one of the NBA’s smartest playmakers. The 28-year-old is a measured presence on the floor who rarely looks like he’s not playing the game at his desired pace.
That translates to an efficient and accurate passing and shooting game. Boasting a career assist to turnover ratio of 2.8 along with a true shooting mark of 53.7 percent and 37.5 percent from deep, Conley’s offense is impressive.
It’s his defense that makes him truly valuable though. Conley is an excellent on-ball defender with great anticipation, something that has attributed to an average of 1.5 steals per game for his career.
Conley will be paid accordingly for his talent commanding a fee that could be in excess of $25 million a year, and with that in mind any team interested in his services must think carefully. Conley has never been a lead star on a team, but with that contract and skill set it would be a waste of everyone’s time to make him a fourth or fifth option.
Next: Jordan Clarkson
Jordan Clarkson
Not many Lakers players have covered themselves in any great glory over the past two seasons, but Jordan Clarkson is one of the few who has consistently impressed.
Having been selected as a second round pick out of Missouri in 2014, there wouldn’t have been many who had lofty, immediate expectations for Clarkson, but he hit the ground running and was named to the All-Rookie First Team at the end of his first pro season.
With the addition of D’Angelo Russell, Clarkson’s role may have changed slightly over the course of the last year, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for his future. Clarkson is more of a scorer than a distributor, but with good length and at only 23 years old, there’s still potential for him to add some extra wrinkles to his game.
With some experience of playing off the ball now, Clarkson’s skills have already diversified a little, but his potential as a combo guard is still debatable with a three-point shooting mark of only 33.8 percent for his first two seasons.
The Lakers will have the space to bring Clarkson back if they wish, but their resolve will likely be tested in restricted free agency as there’ll be no shortage of teams prepared to throw money at talented young players.
Next: Matthew Dellavedova
Matthew Dellavedova
Matthew Dellavedova is certainly not the most aesthetically pleasing player in the league, but his effectiveness can’t be easily questioned. The Australian has to be admired for carving out a career for himself having gone undrafted out of St. Mary’s, and in Cavaliers teams under three different coaches, in very different styles, he’s showcased his worth.
He’s not the most technically skilled player, but Dellavedova is astute enough to know his limitations and maximize his impact based on what he can do.
His brand of high energy play on both ends of the floor pushes him into the faces of his opponents, making him an irritant who can often find himself at the center of heated exchanges. Very simply, he’s the type of players who will make his teammates better, be loved by his own team’s fans, and loathed by those on the other side.
The 25-year-old’s application makes him a keen defender who won’t be beaten easily, but also gives him a hunger that reaps rewards on offense. In particular, Delly’s shooting touch commands respect with him having made 39.8 percent of his three-point attempts for his career.
For those wary of how he’d produce on a team without LeBron James and Kevin Love, Dellavedova already proved he could be effective prior to their arrival in Cleveland and could certainly be a valuable starter elsewhere.
Next: Deron Williams
Deron Williams
Deron Williams has a lot of miles on the clock, but at only 31 years old, he’s still an All-Star caliber player who had his name thrown into the mix for MVP consideration on multiple occasions earlier in his career.
Williams isn’t the dominant figure he once was, but since arriving in Dallas, he has proven that he still has value as a starter or even a top class role player in the NBA.
Williams was one of a number of veterans who helped to elevate the Mavericks to a season that was arguably better than the sum of its parts this year, and in the right situation he should have plenty left to offer for multiple seasons yet.
Williams isn’t quite as efficient as he once was, but he’s a capable shooter with a sky high basketball IQ, and more experience and knowledge to draw upon than almost anyone else hitting the market this summer.
With salaries rising, Williams could be forgotten or represent a better option on a short term deal than less talented young players who will be tied up based on speculation. Having played under Jason Kidd before and sharing an agent with the Bucks head coach, don’t be surprised to hear his name linked to Milwaukee.
Next: Jeremy Lin
Jeremy Lin
He may not have blossomed into the superstar that Linsanity briefly suggested he could, but Jeremy Lin has become a fine player with a lot to offer in the league.
Lin has never had a truly sustained opportunity to lead a team as a starting point guard, and so in that regard there are still many questions that remain. What’s already been made clear from his various spells coming off the bench is that Lin is unafraid of the moment.
To the benefit (and occasionally the detriment) of his teams, Lin has shown a willingness to seize control of games and run the offense. As a confident driver, respectable shooter and perhaps most importantly a guard with a knack for getting to the free throw line, Lin has had success.
By no means would he be considered as a lockdown defender, but Lin’s energy shouldn’t be underestimated. The 27-year-old marries his intensity with good size and length, which at the very least makes him a pest for opposing guards.
Lin is coming off of a strong season in Charlotte’s rotation, and may tempt teams to take a gamble of putting him in a bigger role in the future.
Next: Langston Galloway
Langston Galloway
Having gone undrafted out of Saint Joseph’s, Langston Galloway certainly hasn’t been afforded the easy road to the NBA, but in his short time since making the grade he’s proven that he belongs.
Galloway made an impression in the D-League with the Knicks affiliate, earning a call up to the NBA and the chance to show his full range of skills.
Galloway is active across the floor and although his instincts arguably lean towards scoring, he’s proven himself to be competent enough overall to influence games in a multitude of ways. The 24-year-old is a good rebounder, a capable passer and importantly he is not very turnover prone.
The Louisiana native has shown glimpses of a shooting touch, but has yet to display enough consistency, particularly from deep, to convince everyone that it’s a key weapon in his arsenal. Still, at just under 35 percent from deep, he’s far from a liability.
Galloway is unlikely to be one of the first players that teams will chase when free agency opens up, but he could attract a surprisingly competitive market as a restricted free agent.
Next: Mario Chalmers
Mario Chalmers
After such a long time with the Miami Heat, having been a notable contributor in multiple championship runs, Mario Chalmers was faced with the challenge of redefining himself this season when he was traded to Memphis.
Often a starter throughout his career to date, Chalmers was forced to build a new identity as an impact player coming off of the bench.
That was something which he achieved successfully too, averaging career highs per 36 minutes in both points and assists during his time with the Grizzlies. If not for an achilles injury that prematurely ended his season and forced Memphis to waive him, there could have been even more for him to show.
Chalmers’ injury isn’t something to be taken lightly and any teams considering signing him will have to do their due diligence in taking that into account, but his experience on elite teams around some of the league’s best players will add a certain level of appeal regardless.
At 29 years old Chalmers is a very different player than he was a few years ago, but putting a value on that may prove to be a tough task for any front office who chooses to take that path.
Next: Seth Curry
Seth Curry
Seth Curry is a player picking up significant attention, and although he has made improvements with his own game, it still mostly originates from the fact that he’s Stephen Curry‘s brother.
Curry benefits from the MVP in more ways than just his name though. Curry’s impact on the NBA has reshaped the landscape of the league and redefined the skills that teams are looking for in players. Luckily for the younger, once overlooked, Curry brother that change plays into his own strengths too.
Not a playmaker in the traditional sense of the word, you won’t be looking to Curry to set up teammates. In just under 16 minutes per game with the Kings, Curry only averaged 1.5 assists.
What teams will pick Curry up for will be his deadly shooting ability. 45 percent from deep on 5.8 three-point attempts per 36 minutes is shooting production that there won’t be an abundance of this summer, and as a result, Curry will attract attention.
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Is he worth any real investment? Curry is certainly not a starting point guard but for teams in need of a knockdown shooter he could be invaluable coming off the bench.