Milwaukee Bucks: Grading their 2019 offseason

Conclusion

Now that we’ve recapped all of their moves, how does the Milwaukee Bucks’ offseason grade out?

At the end of the day, the Bucks had a solid offseason. Retaining at least two of their three top free agents this summer was essential. They were able to do that, and they were able to do so at a reasonable value to the team in the short-term, and in the long-term.

Keeping Lopez and Middleton also gives the team a substantial amount of stability and familiarity that many other title contenders, like the Clippers or the Lakers, won’t have between their players this year. That could be a real advantage once we get into the playoffs next April and May.

The Bucks addressed one of their biggest weaknesses, consistent three-point shooting, especially on catch-and-shoot threes, by going out and getting Wesley Matthews and Kyle Korver. Both are far from guaranteed to be incredible producers next season, but so long as they can be okay at doing everything else, their shooting should really help open up the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo and others.

Robin Lopez provides the Bucks with much-needed front court depth. He could be the key to helping the Bucks maintain an elite defense for an entire 48 minutes.

Bringing in Dragan Bender, Frank Mason III, and Cameron Reynolds not only provided the team with needed depth, but they gave the team some acquisitions who have considerable upside. None are likely to move the needle much when it comes to contending for a title next season, but just one of the three becoming something useful would be a significant win for the team.

Not every move they made, however, was great. The big knocks on the team come from their management of the Malcolm Brogdon and George Hill moves.

Losing Malcolm Brogdon, regardless of the subsequent moves the team made to replace him, makes this team worse on paper entering this upcoming season. Brogdon was a core piece to the team. Expecting players who are either over 30, or young and unproven like Sterling Brown and Donte DiVincenzo, to step up and provide all of what Brogdon did, is a bad assumption to make.

The Bucks are a real contender for a title right now. They’re taking a considerable risk by gambling on other players replacing what Brogdon provided for them. Re-signing him, especially on that money, wouldn’t have been without substantial risk in itself given his health issues. However, the Bucks’ window to contend for a title is right now. If they regress next year because they decided to move on from him, and couldn’t replace his production, they could be facing the prospect of Giannis Antetokounmpo weighing up his options.

Mismanaging their cap with the George Hill contract was also inexcusable. Part of what made the Brogdon trade attractive is it would have given the Bucks a sizable trade exception to use to take on an impact player if they decided to move for one during the season. Because they offered Hill too much money, they were unable to find the savings they needed elsewhere, they lost that. That could be more of a detriment to the team than many of us realize.

The team also remains light at point guard. If either Bledsoe or Hill gets hurt, the team will need to look outside the organization to get help.

Overall, though, it was a good offseason. Milwaukee is still well-positioned to contend for a title next season.

Final Grade: B