Milwaukee Bucks: Taking stock of every pending free agent case
With 11 games left in their 2020-21 season, the Milwaukee Bucks are in the process of fine tuning their performances ahead of a crucial playoff run.
The Bucks have placed so much of their focus in righting the wrongs that have come about in each of their last two playoffs runs since the arrival of Mike Budenholzer. And the ripple effects of the Bucks’ upcoming playoff run will shape the team moving forward in an endless amount of ways, depending on how far their run goes.
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That certainly applies to the Bucks players who stand as pending and potential free agents this offseason, most of which comes courtesy of their supporting cast.
Needless to say, the next several weeks will map out the course of the Bucks’ present and future and the players that are slated for free agency will have to much to prove. That is if they have the opportunity to do so.
So without further ado, let’s examine the pending free agent cases regarding multiple Milwaukee Bucks players.
Looking at Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s free agent stock for the Milwaukee Bucks
Standing one of the wholesome surprises of this Bucks’ 2020-21 season, Thanasis Antetokounmpo has given Milwaukee a needed energy boost whenever he has stepped on the floor.
Not only has the elder Antetokounmpo has more than tripled his total minutes from last season, but Thanasis has, at times, played a regular role in the Bucks’ rotation by often spelling his brother. Antetokounmpo is averaging 3.3 points on .524/.292/.462 shooting, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists across 48 appearances and 10.3 minutes per game.
While Thanasis has skill deficiencies, he’s made up for that by being a pest and irritating opponents regularly. With the intensity he brings on the court as well piping up his teammates on the bench, Antetokounmpo has given the Bucks a fiery, emotional backbone to get through this strange season.
Antetokounmpo is slated to enter restricted free agency, provided the Bucks tender his $1.7 million qualifying offer this or or by July 31. From there, we’ll see whether Antetokounmpo still has a future in Milwaukee and will continue playing alongside his MVP brother.
To expect something more than the veteran minimum would be a little far-fetched in projecting Antetokounmpo’s next deal, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bucks extend this partnership for obvious reasons.