Maintaining the many pieces from a championship-winning roster is always difficult, which the Milwaukee Bucks will come to find out this offseason.
Following their first title-winning season in 50 years, the Bucks will soon brace for what is shaping up to be a hectic free agency period. In addition to the 2021 NBA Draft scheduled for right around the corner on July 29, there will be a rather quick turnaround from the title celebration to free agency, which is officially set to begin on August 2.
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As it pertains to free agency, several key pieces from their championship run can hit the open market, and it seems clear that this team will not be running it back in full next season. With little financial flexibility, the front office faces a tall order when deciding which players to keep and which to let walk away, and it will be interesting to see how things unfold.
With that being said, here are free agent Bucks that are unlikeliest to return to defend the title next season.
Justin Jackson/Axel Toupane could leave the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 NBA Free Agency
After playing on two-way contracts for the Bucks this season, Axel Toupane and Justin Jackson could both find themselves on the move in free agency.
Neither were key rotational pieces en route to the title, as Toupane played just 10 minutes across Milwaukee’s playoff run while Jackson suited up for 15. Instead, they were oftentimes the players on the sidelines that could visibly be spotted from a mile away hyping up the team with their energetic presences. They were both great guys to have on the bench and in the locker room, but whether or not the Bucks have any interest in bringing them back is certainly a question worth asking.
Toupane is 29 and Jackson is 26, and although both showed glimpses of potential when they were fortunate enough to play this season, it might not be enough to guarantee them a spot next season. If the team were to choose between the two, handing Jackson another two-way deal would not be the worst idea, as he looked like a solid rotational piece with the OKC Thunder being signing with the Bucks late in the season. Perhaps he could eventually turn into the 15th overall pick that he was supposed to be at some point down the road.
Still, fans should not be surprised if neither Toupane nor Jackson returns to Milwaukee this season after they were hardly present in the rotation during 2020-21.
Jeff Teague could leave the Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Free Agency
The Bucks brought Jeff Teague in mid-season off the buyout market, and it had the potential to be a high-impact signing.
Although Teague filled Milwaukee’s previously unoccupied backup point guard vacancy, he was far from perfect in the role. Aside from scoring a much-needed 11 points off the bench in Game 6 of the Conference Finals to help the Bucks defeat the Atlanta Hawks, Teague’s contributions were mostly minimal throughout this playoff run. The team never expected the guard to come in and be the missing piece to their title aspirations, but Teague was oftentimes a liability to even take the court.
In the end, the Bucks sought out a ball-handler to throw someone into the mix when Jrue Holiday needed a breather, and Teague obliged. The team will need to add a second unit point guard this offseason, and although Teague will not be the first choice for many, it is not a sure thing that he will be heading out the door once free agency begins. After all, he stated that the reason he signed with the Bucks was because of his relationship with head coach Mike Budneholzer, who will almost certainly be sticking around for the near future after securing an NBA title. Perhaps he could put in a good word for Teague, who would not command a hefty salary.
That is all just pure speculation. However, looking at Milwaukee’s long list of key contributors slated to hit free agency like Bobby Portis, P.J. Tucker, and many more, it seems like Teague will not be among their top priorities. Although he was not outstanding for the Bucks, several teams could use a backup point guard with Teague’s veteran pedigree, and he would be a low-risk signing for a handful of organizations. Time will tell, but it should not come as a shock if Teague is not back in Milwaukee next season.
Bryn Forbes could leave the Milwaukee Bucks in NBA Free Agency
Many would argue the Bobby Portis belongs here, but it seems like Bryn Forbes would be the more obvious candidate to leave the Bucks this offseason.
The guard certainly turned heads across the league as he lit up the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs this year by averaging 15 points on .525/.485/.667 shooting splits. He was simply sensational for Milwaukee off the bench as they swept Miami by providing an electric boost on the offensive end. Forbes seemed destined for big things after that stellar series, but his role fizzled out as the playoffs went on.
Milwaukee’s sharpshooting would only appear in three games during the NBA Finals for a total of 22 minutes, finding himself out of the mix. Despite being an afterthought in that series, opposing teams undoubtedly were paying attention as he shot the lights out against Miami, and they will be gearing up to make a run at him this offseason. Shooting is what makes teams work in the NBA today, and adding a player that boasted the fourth-most efficient 3-point percentage during the regular season would be a massive addition on paper.
First, the guard would have to opt-out of his player option worth $2.5 million next season, which seems like a given at this point. He had a great regular season and his effort against the Heat alone likely earned him a new raise in pay this offseason. Given Milwaukee’s massive financial shortcomings, that big payday will almost certainly have to come from somewhere other than the Bucks.
Some team in need of perimeter shooting will hand Forbes a desirable new deal this offseason if he does indeed opt-out, but only time will tell how things ultimately transpire.