Milwaukee Bucks: 3 questions after converting Mamadi Diakite’s contract

Where does signing Mamadi Diakite leave the Milwaukee Bucks’ frontcourt beyond this season?

This is perhaps the most fascinating question in the wake of the Bucks taking the plunge and signing Diakite to such a team-friendly deal.

The top of the Bucks’ frontcourt that consists of starters like Giannis Antetokounmpo Brook Lopez are both under contract for multiple years, more so in Antetokounmpo’s case after signing his five-year supermax extension. Where it gets more interesting is within the Bucks’ depth.

Milwaukee’s big deadline addition of P.J. Tucker will re-enter free agency and considering the mileage he has accumulated, the 36-year-old will be hard-pressed to find the payday he’s looking for. And that certainly won’t be coming to a Bucks team that has spent their considerable capital to lock in their core of Antetokounmpo, Holiday and Khris Middleton.

It’s the case of the Bucks’ sixth man, Bobby Portis, that seems clear cut in one direction. Portis has been in the midst of a career year from an efficiency standpoint by averaging 11.2 points on .521/.465/.750 shooting, along with 7 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 21.2 minutes per game in 53 appearances.

Having carved out his role as an offensive spark plug that can bring a dose of energy and tenacity on the glass, Portis seems well on his way to earning a greater payday and well above the $3.8 million player option he holds for next season. The fact that the glitz and glamour of this upcoming free agent class has gradually disappeared only increases that chance for the 26-year-old big man to earn a more lavish deal.

For now, Diakite stands as cover behind the Bucks’ frontcourt in the event that Portis declines his player option for something greater elsewhere. And for all of the flashes, skills and tools Diakite possesses at this time, he’s not yet capable of playing the kind of role Portis has played so far this season.

That isn’t to say Diakite never will, though it likely won’t resemble the polished scoring that Portis has provided. But it will be interesting to see how the Bucks’ frontcourt depth chart changes a few months from now and how Diakite will factor into the team’s plans.