A report from The Action Network relays that the Milwaukee Bucks have been aggressively pursuing upgrades ahead of the start of this NBA offseason.
The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly leaving no stone unturned as they scour the league for upgrades to their roster this offseason.
Their playoff exit in the Eastern Conference Semifinals illuminated their outstanding flaws and they certainly feel the urgency to retool, all while the long-term future of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo looms over everything.
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Per The Action Network’s Matt Moore, the Bucks have been aggressive in pursuing roster upgrades this offseason, with Moore specifically mentioning those upgrades come on the wing, and that nothing is off the table in their pursuit to reload for next season:
"“Nothing is off the table for the Milwaukee Bucks after another disappointing playoff exit. They have aggressively pursued wing upgrades in the past few weeks, they are not looking to just run it back.”"
While the nature of Moore’s reporting doesn’t list any player targets, it certainly reinforces the previous reporting and links between the Bucks and numerous trade candidates going into the start of the offseason.
Sacramento Kings restricted free agent Bogdan Bogdanovic easily comes to mind as someone the Bucks have a strong interest in pursuing in free agency. Even as the path to acquiring the 28-year-old is strictly limited to sign-and-trade deals. On top of that, Milwaukee has been recently linked to Robert Covington and P.J Tucker, who fit the wing and versatile 3-and-D forward upgrade that Moore mentions.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ pursuit for wing upgrades could spell the end of the line for many of their current wing options on the roster.
It’s very possible the biggest impending free agent the Bucks have this offseason is Wesley Matthews, who will have to soon make a decision on his $2.6 million player option for next season.
The wing position, however, was already slated to look different than to how it looked for the 2019-20 season. All of Sterling Brown, Pat Connaughton and Kyle Korver are all headed for free agency, respectively, with Brown the lone player that will be a restricted free agent, provided the Bucks tender his $2 million qualifying offer.
The question of how attainable a wing upgrade is the ultimate question and the lengths the Bucks will go to beef up their pressing needs.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported Thursday that the Bucks are looking to move on from Eric Bledose and have been actively shopping him around the league. While the Bucks are very willing to move on from the veteran point guard, all signs point to his trade value being less than desirable around the league. And that goes on top of the lack of guard depth they already have on their roster.
With Moore mentioning that the Bucks aren’t looking to run it back completely, that does raise an eyebrow as to how deep they’ll go into finding the upgrades they clearly need. They have the 24th overall pick in this year draft, Bledsoe and his long-term salary and a number of expiring salaries committed to the likes of George Hill, potentially Robin Lopez and D.J. Wilson before going into their core of Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez.
The answers for all these questions will soon be revealed, but it’s safe to assume that Bucks fans should prepare for multiple possibilities this offseason. Especially when the future of the franchise is at stake.