Milwaukee Bucks: How can they replace recently retired Marvin Williams?
By Dalton Sell
Marvin Williams’ sudden retirement following just 27 total games with the Milwaukee Bucks will have the team searching for a replacement.
After standing pat at this year’s trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks scooped veteran forward Marvin Williams off of the buyout market.
Williams had a slew of contending teams looking to utilize his services, but the chance to contend for a title in Milwaukee was an opportunity he could not turn down. The 34-year-old found himself solidified within the rotation in both the regular season and the playoffs, overtaking the backup power forward minutes from Ersan Ilyasova.
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When Milwaukee’s season concluded far earlier than any could have imagined, it seemed feasible to believe the Bucks would have a chance in bringing Williams back.
However, immediately following the team’s postseason exit, the 15-year veteran told The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears that he was calling it a career with a simple message:
"“I’ve been very blessed. God has been very, very good to me,” Williams said."
Hats off to the former No. 2 overall draft selection on a fantastic career. With Williams now out of the picture, Milwaukee will once again have to evaluate their options when it comes to finding a serviceable frontcourt piece to play behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Which avenues can the Milwaukee Bucks take to find a suitable replacement with Marvin Williams out of the picture?
Williams was such a fantastic fit in Mike Budenholzer’s lineups because of his floor spacing and defensive versatility. With Milwaukee looking to replicate those abilities in any replacement, they have several different routes to consider.
First and foremost, Milwaukee must decide what to do with Ersan Ilyasova, who saw a regressed role when Williams arrived. The Turkish big man is under contract for $7 million next season if Milwaukee guarantees the final year of his contract.
Retaining Ersan appears to be somewhat of a stretch, however, as his salary did not match his level of production this past season, especially after falling out of the rotation once WIlliams entered the picture. If the Bucks do guarantee Ilyasova’s deal, it will likely be with the intent to use him as a salary filler in any potential trades.
Milwaukee also has former No. 17 overall pick D.J. Wilson on the roster, but he has not quite panned out over his first three seasons with the team. The Bucks’ reliance on experienced big men has made Wilson a spectator for most of his NBA career, and it would be difficult to imagine that Mike Budenholzer finally gives him the nod for backup power forward duties.
If the Bucks indeed close the door on Ersan’s third stint in Milwaukee and Wilson’s role remains minimal, scouring the free agent market for a replacement could also be feasible, although the Bucks do not have the most financial capital by any stretch.
Still, their non-taxpayer mid-level exception worth about $9.3 million and the $3.9 million bi-annual exception could prove useful. A few names that could be enticing targets are Jeff Green, Patrick Patterson, or even Danilo Gallinari, all savvy veterans ready to help contribute on impact.
Perhaps the Bucks want to bring a fresh face aboard. Although the growing consensus among fans is that Milwaukee will trade their first round draft pick, slated at No. 24 overall, that is an option in their back pocket.
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Whatever the case may be, the Milwaukee Bucks have several different paths they can explore en route to finding a replacement for Marvin Williams.