With minimal cap space available, we take a look at 20 players who the Milwaukee Bucks could consider when free agency opens on July 1.
You know all of those glamorous names you’ve heard are hitting free agency this summer? Leave them at the door. Instead, welcome to the Milwaukee Bucks veteran minimum extravaganza of 2017!
To say the Bucks are facing a cap squeeze this summer would be an understatement, as the reality is they’re going to come very close to crossing over into the luxury tax.
With Greg Monroe’s decision to opt in for the final year of his deal, Tony Snell is Milwaukee’s most significant outgoing free agent this summer. With the expectation being the Bucks will match any reasonable offer for Snell in restricted free agency, the team will then be left with a couple of roster spots to fill and next to no money left to work with.
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Of course they could offload some salary in a trade, opening the door to some potentially more lucrative targets, but barring that eventuality the focus for the Bucks will be on a couple of veteran minimum level deals.
Although that makes for a pretty grim reality for a team looking to improve, essentially the players signed at that price should be little more than end of rotation guys.
Even better, if you can pick up players who either have yet to fully realize their potential, or haven’t fully dipped into late-career decline, you could have a value deal that changes the shape of your bench.
Effectively, the Bucks are forced in to playing Moneyball this summer, and looking for the players their rivals might miss, who will pair perfectly with their existing young core of talent.
In preparation for the Bucks’ free agent scavenger hunt, I’ve taken a look at 20 players who could fit that bill, including a couple of Milwaukee’s own unrestricted free agents.
In reality, many of these players may well end up fetching salaries far greater than the Bucks can offer, but as a starting point they at least seem like contenders to come in on the lower range of the salary scale.
Without further ado, let’s get down to it!
Lavoy Allen
Although the Bucks certainly don’t have a need for further frontcourt additions, if they were to find a way to move on some of their more expensive bigs for greater flexibility in the coming days, Allen would certainly be a player worth their consideration.
Still only 28 years old, Allen has found ways to be a quietly steady and consistent contributor throughout his time with both the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers.
Averaging just 4.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in just under 18 minutes per game doesn’t make Allen a glamorous addition by any means, but he’s a high-energy big who can offer a strong presence on the glass, an engaged defensive body, and a more than respectable mid-range jumper.
Ron Baker
Baker had a respectable rookie season for the Knicks having signed in New York after going undrafted out of Wichita State. He’ll enter free agency as a restricted free agent who may have seemed likely to return to the Garden, but now has his future cast into uncertainty with the departure of Phil Jackson.
The 24-year-old has well-defined limitations when it comes to speed and athleticism, but is a cerebral point guard who is more than capable of offering up some solid end of rotation contributions.
Baker started 13 games for the Knicks, and averaged 4.1 points, 2.1 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 0.7 steals in 16.5 minutes per game over 52 total appearances. The biggest red flag would come from his shooting splits of 36.8/26.7/65.1, but considering he shot much better during his four years in college (43.3/36.9/80.1), perhaps he’ll improve on that in the coming seasons.
Michael Beasley
A tight cap situation and the decision to draft D.J. Wilson would make a return for Beas seem pretty unlikely at this point, but if circumstances were to change, the Bucks could certainly do worse.
Beasley continued to rehabilitate his image around the NBA with a stellar season in Milwaukee, offering reliable offensive production off the bench, and even emerging as a figure of unity within a young Bucks’ locker room.
With Jabari Parker set to miss through to the All-Star Break while recovering from knee surgery, Beasley’s offensive punch would be welcome in Milwaukee. The questions are whether he’s done enough to convince a team to pay a little bit more than the Bucks can afford, and whether the Bucks have room for him as they look to further inject youth (and low-cost deals) into their frontcourt.
Reggie Bullock
Bullock likely hasn’t done his stock any favors by being issued with a five-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program, but there are still glimpses of solid production in a very valuable role from the former UNC Tar Heel.
The 26-year-old has improved significantly as a shooter during his two seasons with the Detroit Pistons, shooting 39.6 percent from deep while playing under Stan Van Gundy.
Bullock has struggled with a host of injuries during his time with the Pistons, but with those ranging from a broken nose, to back spasms, hip pointers and a torn meniscus, perhaps the forward has just been unfortunate more than anything else. Importantly, he returned from the torn meniscus to play very well for Detroit late last season.
Omri Casspi
Casspi had a turbulent season in 2016-17, as he fell out of favor in Sacramento, was traded to New Orleans as a part of the DeMarcus Cousins deal, was soon waived due to injury, only to return and sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the season.
None of that should detract from the proven track record the Israeli native has in his many years in the NBA, though.
Casspi is a streaky shooter, capable of getting hot and taking over a game at a moment’s notice. Although his career three-point mark of 36.7 percent isn’t the highest in the league by any means, opposing teams will respect the 29-year-old’s range, also allowing him to create more space for his teammates.
Ian Clark
Clark has come a long way since going undrafted out of Belmont in 2013, and having bounced around a couple of teams early on, he finally found a home in Golden State, rounded out his game, and earned rotation minutes in one of the greatest team’s in NBA history.
Once a struggling shooter, working out alongside the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant clearly worked for Clark, as he shot a career-high 37.4 percent from deep last season.
Even though there’ll be legitimate cause for concern over whether his shooting will drop off without multiple All-Stars on the floor with him, Clark has also developed into a good team defender, and has immense playoff experience having averaged just under 12 minutes per game during 32 outings in the Warriors’ last two postseason runs.
Raymond Felton
A veteran who has long found ways to provide meaningful contributions to teams around the NBA, even at the age of 33, there’s reason to believe Felton may still have something left to offer in the back half of a rotation.
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Felton differs from many of the league’s more modern point guards in terms of his inconsistent three-point shooting, but he has always excelled at using his body to get to the rim in spite of his relatively short stature.
Although he’s certainly lost much of the burst that made him a dynamic offensive guard in his prime, Felton will still be able to work with a steady iso-heavy game, a sweet mid-range jumper, and the ability to make the simple kick out pass to the corners when he does get penetration toward the basket.
Langston Galloway
A favorite of mine for the Bucks when he was a free agent last summer, much like Omri Casspi, Galloway had a disjointed year in large part thanks to his inclusion in the Boogie Cousins trade. Although he struggled to hold down a role with the Pelicans, and had minimal time to make an impact with the Kings, the positives of his game remain the same.
Galloway doesn’t excel in any one area, but is instead the kind of well-rounded player that every team would like to have offer them utility minutes in the second unit.
Without being elite in any of these areas, Galloway can dribble, create for teammates, knock down threes, get to the rim, and defend multiple positions. That versatility could make him invaluable in the right setting, but first he has to find where that is.
Gerald Green
Green has had more than his fair share of ups and downs throughout what has been a rollercoaster career so far, but at 31 years of age, he still has something to offer as a role player off the bench.
One of the last American players to enter the NBA directly from high school, Green is best known for his standout athletic abilities and explosive dunks. Over the years, he’s added more to his game, though.
Green is a competent shooter, who at times throughout his career has looked like a very good one, and he certainly has the length to make an impact defensively. The problem in both areas is that his consistency and focus can be called into question. In signing Green, any team would get a player capable of making a big impact, but they’ll probably also have to be prepared for him to disappear at times too.
Justin Holiday
Tony Snell has proven the value of a solid and dependable, two-way rotation wing contributor to the Bucks over the past season, and even if he returns, it wouldn’t hurt to have another in reserve in the form of Justin Holiday.
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Much like could have been said of Snell 12 months ago, Holiday has shown real flashes of being the archetypal three-and-D wing that holds so much value in today’s NBA, but hasn’t put it all together just yet.
Holiday is a serviceable defender who has shown signs of being a good shooter, although his career average is just 34.2 percent from deep. Having moved around a lot in his first few seasons in the league, there’s a real chance that Holiday could still flourish with a reliable role and some security around him.
Ersan Ilyasova
Bucks fans won’t need too much of an explainer of what Ilyasova is about, with the Turkish Thunder having previously been a stalwart of Milwaukee’s teams for seven years. Would there be any point to a reunion, though?
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While the Bucks’ crowded frontcourt would make it unlikely and unwise, the fact remains that Ilyasova is still a remarkably consistent contributor in spite of his age.
In spite of being involved in frequent trades since he left Milwaukee, Ilyasova has continued to show up, knock down shots, play good positional defense, and draw charges at a stunning rate. Although it feels like Ersan has been around forever, he’s only recently turned 30 and likely has a few years left ahead of him as a useful bench piece.
Jonas Jerebko
Now 30 years of age, Jonas Jerebko has amassed plenty of NBA experience, and has seen his game trend into fashion the longer his career has gone on. Possessing a forward’s skill-set in a 6’10” frame, Jerebko was designed to be a stretch four before it was an NBA staple, and even now can be looked to for small-ball center minutes.
The Swede has proven himself to be a good rebounder during his time in both Detroit and Boston, with a soft shooting touch from mid-range, and the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive when the opportunity presents itself.
In spite of early career struggles from three-point range, Jerebko’s 34.6 percent clip from deep last year was the first time in four years where he has averaged less than 38.5 percent from distance for a full season.
Shelvin Mack
Still only 27 years old, Shelvin Mack has carved out a niche for himself in recent years, having once seemed as if he was on the periphery of the NBA. Mack isn’t likely to be a game-winner, but he’s a very steady pair of hands to run second unit offense.
Between Atlanta and Utah, Mack has played on playoff caliber teams for the last three seasons and even stepped up into the starting lineup as a capable deputy on 47 occasions combined.
Mack can knock down the three, although he doesn’t do so with great efficiency. He’s also a solid defender, and an effective creator who does a nice job of limiting turnovers.
Anthony Morrow
Morrow has a long-held reputation for being one of the league’s deadliest shooters, and with a career three-point shooting percentage of 41.7 percent from deep it’s hard to dispute that too. Still, Morrow’s numbers have dropped recently, and perhaps that makes him a cheaper get in 2017.
Having been traded to Chicago midway through last season, there’s perhaps understandable reasons for Morrow’s relative struggles, but a mark of 30.8 percent from distance on the year overall is still a little alarming.
Signing Morrow would be a case of betting on him returning to close to a 40 percent success rate, as his game has always been primarily about his shooting. You can’t expect lockdown defense from the 31-year-old, so it’s all or nothing in terms of his shot.
Shabazz Muhammad
A long, rangy and athletic wing, Muhammad has yet to fully realize the potential that many believed he had when he entered the league out of UCLA, and in large part that may be attributable to inconsistent opportunities in Minnesota.
Muhammad has never really figured out his shooting since turning pro, as his numbers have fluctuated dramatically from year to year. That doesn’t stop there from being value in many of his natural abilities, though.
The 24-year-old has proven himself to be capable of creating scoring opportunities for himself out of his athleticism, yet still his greatest appeal might come in the idea of what he could be defensively if focus and consistency become issues of the past.
Willie Reed
Milwaukee may not consider a big man like Willie Reed due to their own current frontcourt logjam, but in truth, Reed is exactly the kind of young, inexpensive big the Bucks should be turning to for backup minutes, rather than paying John Henson so much money for so little production.
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In relatively limited minutes with both Brooklyn and Miami through his first two seasons in the NBA, Reed has impressed by offering a strong interior presence and a dominant rebounding edge.
Reed has a surprisingly soft touch around the rim, is an effective screen-setter and roll man, who can also get up high to catch lobs or finish powerfully as a trailer in transition. Reed isn’t a household name, but he could be a steal for a smart team this summer.
Brandon Rush
After years of being an excellent shooter with the Golden State Warriors, Rush signed a cheap one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves last summer and played relatively well when he was on the floor for Tom Thibodeau’s team.
Rush shot 38.6 percent from three, although many of his minutes only came after Zach LaVine‘s torn ACL forced Thibodeau’s hand in terms of adjusting his rotation.
Set to turn 32 years old, Rush’s best days are certainly behind him, but he should still have value as a career 40.2 percent shooter in the NBA. Rush will disappoint if asked to do more than come in off the bench and make his shots, but for most teams that should be enough in its own right.
Thabo Sefolosha
Noted as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders ever since his duels with LeBron James in the 2012 NBA Finals, Thabo Sefolosha is still more than capable as part of the supporting cast on a good NBA team.
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Sefolosha has had his injury problems in recent years, most notably at the hands of the NYPD, but still possesses the tools that earned him his reputation defensively, and some underrated offensive abilities too.
Like many others on this list, Sefolosha has made plenty of triples, the challenge is just in getting him to do so consistently. What many fans may not know is that Sefolosha possesses sneaky explosiveness, that can also occasionally result in him breaking out exclamation mark dunks.
Jason Terry
After just one season with the Bucks, the veteran Jason Terry has clearly established himself as a fan favorite in Milwaukee, but more importantly, he’s also shown that he’s still got meaningful contributions to make on the court.
JET shot 42.7 percent from deep last season and had a number of meaningful scoring outbursts, such as when he kept the Bucks alive down the stretch in Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors.
In spite of already being the oldest player in franchise history, and set to turn 40 this season, Terry has voiced his determination to continue, and anything other than his return to Milwaukee would be a surprise. More than that, if he was to leave, the Bucks would have lost a lot in terms of shooting, defense and leadership.
Anthony Tolliver
Widely regarded as a positive presence in any locker room he’s been a part of, veteran forward Anthony Tolliver continues to make an impact both on and off the court at the age of 32, and as such may well pick up some interest this summer.
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Tolliver shot 39.1 percent from deep with the Sacramento Kings last season, and alongside Garrett Temple he was said to be a uniting voice in getting positive production out of his young teammates following the Cousins trade.
Not necessarily quick or athletic, Tolliver has always had something of an old man’s game. Tolliver’s movements are smooth yet deliberate, he can shoot the ball, and he’s always game defensively.
Next: Win In 6 Podcast #134: NBA Awards reaction, Hawes opts in
Make sure to stick with us at Behind the Buck Pass for all of the Bucks’ free agent news as it breaks in the coming days.