Milwaukee Bucks Face Decisions On Players Bound For Free Agency

Greivis Vasquez

2015-16 Key Stats: 5.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.0 apg
2015-16 Cap Hit: $6.6 million

During the 2015 NBA draft, the Bucks pulled the trigger on a deal that seemed to solidify their status as a contender, dealing their Clippers lottery-protected 2017 1st round pick and the number 46 pick in the 2015 draft for Raptors reserve point guard Greivis Vasquez.

Although the general consensus around the league was that the Bucks overpaid for the one season left on Vasquez’s contract, on paper, the move filled three of the Bucks most glaring roster holes – veteran presence, playoff experience, and three-point shooting.

Coming off of an encouraging season capped off by a comeback playoff run at the Chicago Bulls and later the signing of marquee free agent Greg Monroe, things were looking up for the Bucks, with sights set on another playoff berth. In practice (and games) however, the addition of Vasquez flopped horribly.

Just one season removed from playing all 82 games for the Raptors, Vasquez suffered an ankle injury 16 games into his season in Milwaukee, sidelining him until April, at which point his contributions were effectively rendered meaningless. Even when healthy, Vasquez was not effective though, posting his lowest per game scoring average since his rookie campaign, as well as his lowest career PER at just 7.4.

Playing for a team with a shortage of three-point shooters such as the Bucks did led to a change in General Greivis’ shot selection; over half (53 percent) of his FGA were from three-point range, up from his previous career high rate of 48 percent.

However, his 38 percent three-point stroke from the year before did not translate across the Canadian border, as he shot only 25 percent from behind the arc with the Bucks. This could possibly be explained with the change in Vasquez’s shot type.

With the Raptors, over 80 percent of his treys came from an assist, often from more ball-dominant backcourt mates Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, while only 66 percent of his three-pointers in a Bucks uniform were assisted. Vasquez’s inefficiency continued through all aspects of his shooting, as his 32.6 percent overall field goal mark ranked 450th out of all 476 players who suited up last season.

On the other side of the trade, former UCLA shooting guard Norman Powell, taken by the Raptors with the second round pick ceded by Milwaukee broke out late in the season, starting 24 games, including three in the playoffs. Powell’s numbers are especially disconcerting for Bucks fans when he is compared to struggling 2015 first-round pick Rashad Vaughn, as Powell bests the younger UNLV product in virtually every category.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/29/2016.

Even if the Clippers lottery-protected pick does not deliver to its full potential as a first-rounder, the Bucks are still faced with the reality of giving up at the least three second-round picks, one of which (Powell) is already showing value.

Of course, we have no guarantee that Powell would have been Milwaukee’s selection if they had chosen to retain the pick for themselves, but the sense of “what could have been” ensures that his progress stings Bucks fans nonetheless.

The cost and outcomes of the trade don’t really matter when looking at the specific value of Vasquez to the Bucks roster, but recalling the deal by re-signing Greivis to a new contract would dredge up bad memories of a transaction gone awry.

All of the above issues would be somewhat excusable if Vasquez were a boon to the Bucks’ rather paltry defense, but the simple fact is he is not. Vasquez posted an even worse Defensive Box Plus-Minus (DBPM) at minus-3.9 points per 100 possessions than his offensive BPM counterpart (-3.0) in 2016, and last season was not an isolated case.

Vasquez has posted a negative DBPM every season of his career, meaning he is consistently a detriment to his squad’s point-preventing effort, and the Bucks in their current state, what with incumbent starters and a defensively challenged frontcourt of Jabari Parker and Greg Monroe, simply cannot afford to play a player of that type for major minutes.

At 29 years old, Vasquez’s best days on the court are likely behind him, and although he may not be in line to make as much next season as the $6.6 million he garnered in 2016, Bucks fans and execs are presumably ready to rid themselves of the bad taste the 2015 season left, and in turn, let one of the worst pieces of that season walk away.

Vasquez is an unrestricted free agent, so John Hammond and Company do not have the responsibility of matching potential offer sheets the guard would ink with other franchises.

A player that excels in the same role Vasquez was brought in to fill would be a great addition to the current Bucks roster; however last season should be taken as evidence that Vasquez is not capable of filling this role for the team.

Final Verdict: Let Go

Next: Jerryd Bayless