NBA Free Agency: Could Mario Hezonja be a bargain pickup for the Bucks?

Fit With Bucks

Considering how the Bucks’ offense bogged down when star players headed to the bench last season, there’s no doubting they could use some offensive punch in the form of a rotational wing or forward.

Hezonja could certainly fill that role, but he’d also offer potential upside as a player who could develop into being a complementary fit in a bigger role.

With an ability to operate at a high level entirely off the ball with cuts and as a spot-up shooter, Hezonja still has the potential to grow into a fourth or fifth starter role on a good team. Alternatively, with work on his handle and playmaking, Hezonja could also be molded into more of a second unit leading Sixth Man.

The primary appeal of Hezonja should be the options he provides. He’s still relatively young and considering the frequent changes of staff and players, and his inconsistent and often infrequent role in Orlando, he may be a worthy salvage effort for the right team to pursue.

While much has been spoken about the impact Mike Budenholzer and his coaching staff could have on current Bucks players, the same can also be applied to how they can improve potential free agents. Many of Budenholzer’s best development projects in Atlanta (i.e. DeMarre Carroll, Kent Bazemore) arrived as bargain-priced free agents who’d been misused or underdeveloped with their previous teams.

After what has to have been a frustrating few years with the Magic, Hezonja will likely be hungry for the chance to play. Already known for an insatiable work ethic, that leaves plenty of reason to keep believing in what the once hyped wing could still become.

Next: NBA Free Agency: Could Mike Budenholzer and Dewayne Dedmon reunite in Milwaukee?

As with every free agency target the Bucks could have this summer, their options will be tied to the other decisions they make in the coming weeks, but without meaningful cap space and in need of finding low-cost contributors, Hezonja should certainly be a player Milwaukee’s front office follows closely.