Milwaukee Bucks Roundtable: Digging into their busy offseason

Of the many departures the Milwaukee Bucks have had this offseason, which player do you think they’ll have most trouble replacing as their roster is currently constructed?

Sell: As the current roster stands after free agency, the popular answer is George Hill, and I am rolling with him as well. While I am very high on D.J. Augustin as his replacement, Hill’s veteran leadership and floor spacing off the bench this past season were substantial components in Milwaukee’s success. He was the perfect sixth man for this team, and I am curious to see what Augustin does in his place.

Treske: For all of the reasons why I think D.J. Augustin will be the most vital depth addition for the Bucks next season, it’s George Hill that I feel may prove to be the hardest to replace when all is said and done.

Hill had really found his niche in Milwaukee and his importance had certainly grown, especially as the Bucks had to rely more on Hill in the postseason with Bledsoe proving to be ineffective time and again. Combine that with his defensive versatility and overall command under those situations, it’s not all that easy to expect that same chemistry with Augustin as Bucks players had come to expect from Hill. The same certainly goes for his locker room presence as well, but Augustin’s veteran experience does match that in some regard.

Given that the Bucks added someone of Jrue Holiday’s caliber, perhaps that reliance we saw with Hill due to Bledsoe’s struggles won’t exist with their new backcourt. The Bucks were able to wipe the slate clean, but it certainly can come with new challenges, especially when the playoffs roll around.

Wood: I wanted to go George Hill as well, but to me, when he could not shoot consistently in the playoffs, he just looked old. But Hill’s leadership on and off the court will definitely be missed.

Wesley Matthews will be the player the team misses the most this upcoming season. As stated previously, Torrey Craig can fill that role of defender on the opposing team’s elite wing player, but Craig cannot shoot as well as Matthews. Matthews is also an elite defender who brought so much energy on the court for the Bucks.

Not only on the court, though, is where Matthews will be missed. He and Robin Lopez brought the pregame wrestling routine to the team, and this pregame ritual illustrated the chemistry and enjoyment that was interwoven in the team dynamics before the season shutdown. The Bucks in the bubble rarely, if ever, did this routine, and I feel like it was a missed part of the team camaraderie, among other things seen in their bubble play. As Matthews chases a ring with the Lakers, the hometown kid has now become a rival to the Bucks, in a weird twist of fate.

Schickert: My answer is George Hill, but only partly, because I really am excited for the addition of D.J. Augustin. The only part I think the Bucks may miss about Hill is his scorching shooting as he led the league in 3-point percentage last season. Otherwise, I believe the Bucks really covered all their bases for team needs and are ready for another run at an NBA title.

Rauman: While George Hill will certainly be missed, the loss of Wesley Matthews from the starting group will be the departure that hurts the most.

Matthews showed his value in the playoffs when he shadowed and shut down Jimmy Butler whenever he was on the court. While Holiday can take on some of that defensive responsibility, it will be interesting to see who the Bucks start in Matthews’ place without an apparent replacement. D.J. Augustin or Bryn Forbes could replicate his shooting ability, but would struggle defensively. Conversely, Torrey Craig or Donte DiVincenzo may be able to plug the defensive hole, but may have trouble replicating Matthews’ 3-point prowess. There’s no perfect solution or replacement, which is why I think Matthews two-way prowess will be missed the most.