Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Had interest in Ben McLemore before signing with Lakers
The Milwaukee Bucks have certainly been busy filling out their roster in recent weeks.
Having picked up a pair of veterans in P.J. Tucker and Jeff Teague via trade and free agency, general manager Jon Horst has been busy solidifying their roster on the edges. And they have been busy trying to fill their remaining roster spot through the buyout market.
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To that point, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported earlier Tuesday afternoon that the Bucks were a team interested in adding Ben McLemore, who elected to join the Los Angeles Lakers after recently getting waived by the Houston Rockets.
It’s not hard to see why the Bucks would be interested in bringing in a player of McLemore’s sharpshooting even as he’s shooting 33.1 percent from deep and averaging 7.4 points per game during his time in Houston.
Whether he can regain his sharpshooting with the slumping Lakers remains to be seen, but they surely need any kind of offensive punch as they continue to be without both Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
The Milwaukee Bucks have one vacant spot currently on their roster.
Perhaps the biggest question that Bucks fans are asking in light of Charania’s recent report is what to make of this development with their reported pursuit of Austin Rivers.
Charania reported late last month that the Bucks were the frontrunners to add Rivers after being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder following his move there on deadline day. However, there has been radio silence on the Bucks’ interest in Rivers and where the journeyman guard will ultimately land.
As speculation continues to circle around Rivers, the clock is ticking on the Bucks to add a player who has gotten bought out at any point this year. Milwaukee will have until April 11 (Sunday) to add a player on the buyout market and who will be eligible to play in the postseason.
With five days remains until that deadline, it’s very possible the Bucks have more irons in the fire, especially as Rivers may pursuing his full breadth of options at this point. And that could be where their interest in McLemore generated.
Next. Weighing the ripple effects of Jrue Holiday’s extension. dark
While the intrigue rises on whether the Bucks will ultimately sign Rivers or what they’ll do with their vacant roster spot, the team will look to focus on finishing up their road swing out west on a high note. You can catch the Bucks in action against the Golden State Warriors later Tuesday night.