Milwaukee Bucks Roundtable: Important free agency decisions lie ahead

Q4. Are there any players you’d like the Bucks to target with exceptions or minimum offers that you think could be realistic options?

TK: I don’t think there is any need right now except for the center spot. The Bucks will hopefully have the full MLE at their disposal which is around $8 million per year. That should be enough to get a very decent center. Kyle O’Quinn, Greg Monroe, Alex Len and Aron Baynes are among the most obvious options. Nerlens Noel could be a gamble (high risk, high upside) to see if he could blossom in Milwaukee.

BR: I’m a fan of bringing in another floor-spacing forward on a cheap deal that could come off the bench, especially with Jabari’s future in question. Anthony Tolliver, Luc Mbah a Moute, Ersan Ilyasova, Mike Scott and Michael Beasley all stand out to me as guys who could definitely contribute in the second unit when Giannis rests. If Parker walks, the backup four would be D.J. Wilson, so needless to say the position would be very thin behind Giannis. While slotting in Middleton at the four can work in certain small-ball lineups, depth there is necessary to keep him fresh throughout the season.

I think the Bucks should attempt to shed Henson’s contract before pursuing another center in free agency. They already have Zeller on a cheap deal through next season, and hopefully Thon can improve this offseason under Mike Budenholzer’s tutelage. If they find a way to clear Henson’s deal, I’d be interested in adding a physical center to complement Thon that can grab boards like Aron Baynes, Ed Davis or JaVale McGee. Kevon Looney is another intriguing player who showed his defensive versatility with Golden State but remains unproven in an expanded role. He also lacks the size of a traditional center, but he could be a worthy gamble if the Bucks can get him for cheap.

JT: As much as I think a traditional stop-gap at the center spot like Kyle O’Quinn may ease the majority of Bucks fans, the lack of forward depth behind Giannis and Khris Middleton is particularly glaring to me right now, especially more so if Jabari ends up signing elsewhere.

Many of the players that Ben mentioned, such as Tolliver, Scott and Ilyasova, hit the floor spacing, stretch four box that is very much vacant after the unfortunate health circumstances that recurred for Mirza Teletovic this year. Adding a versatile wing like Glenn Robinson III is very enticing to me and I think he’s the ideal developing player that could really flourish as a role player under new Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer.

Looney as well as Jerami Grant are interesting as small ball centers and both seem like a lock to find a new home at some point in free agency. I’m just spitballing names at this point, but there are a number of interesting options that could be had for the Bucks, should they identify them before another team does and get their ducks in a row with Jabari first.

AM: I’m very high on the possibility of adding Glenn Robinson III as wing/forward depth and Kevon Looney as a really intriguing young big.

Otherwise, adding a top-tier shooter who can thrive off the ball would be a great idea. I think with the combination of his efficient three-point scoring and his ability to drive, Joe Harris would be a perfect fit and someone who could help to open up the floor considerably for Giannis and Middleton among others.