Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Team had interest in signing JaMychal Green
By Dalton Sell
As all teams do, the Milwaukee Bucks were bound to strike out on some free agent targets as they looked to bolster their roster.
The first was Kelly Oubre Jr., who the team never had a genuinely had a shot at signing, given their financial limitations. While Milwaukee’s interest in individual players is typically kept under wraps, The Denver Post’s Mike Singer recently revealed that the Bucks had an interest in signing JaMychal Green away from the Denver Nuggets.
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"“New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Antonio and Milwaukee were all interested in signing the 31-year-old veteran, a league source said. Minnesota even considered a possible sign-and-trade for him, according to the source.”"
Considering Green would sign a two-year deal worth $17 million to return to Denver in the offseason, Milwaukee likely never had a genuine shot the pry him away as they sought out more frontcourt talent.
Even after striking out on JaMychal Green, the Milwaukee Bucks did a solid job replenishing their frontcourt depth during the 2021 offseason
Green’s defense, 3-point shooting, and veteran experience would have made him a great fit for the Bucks, particularly after P.J. Tucker’s departure to the Miami Heat. However, business is business, and the Bucks looked elsewhere to patch up their frontcourt throughout the offseason.
Instead, the team went ahead and bolstered their frontcourt with other moves, none more notable than re-signing Bobby Portis to a new two-year deal. Many had been bracing for the fan favorite’s departure following Milwaukee’s title run because he seemed destined to receive many desirable offers from other teams and he certainly deserved the raise. Instead, he showed his commitment to the city, the franchise, and the fanbase by turning down those offers to take a team-friendly deal to stick around in Milwaukee.
While Portis was their biggest splash, the Bucks also managed to retain Thanasis Antetokounmpo on another team-friendly two-year deal. Antetokounmpo is certainly not a staple in the rotation as Portis is, but Bucks fans understand how much he can help the team with his energy and vibrant locker room presence. He will still get the occasional spurt of minutes when the Bucks need a lift in the frontcourt.
Lastly, one of the most intriguing signings for the Bucks this offseason has been the move for Semi Ojeleye, who signed for a one-year minimum deal. Ojeleye has spent the previous four years with the Boston Celtics, earning his place in the league as a household defender. The Bucks will aim to utilize him in those defensive units next season, and the forward has a chance to thrive with the defending champions next season.
Even after striking out on Green, this is a pretty solid bench group to have playing behind the duo upfront in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. Portis, Antetokounmpo, and Ojeleye could be poised for big things entering next season, and keep an eye on these three to make a big impact as the Bucks have a top-tier frontcourt once more.
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It is always interesting to think about what could have been when rumors like this surface, but any thought of signing Green was seemingly always a pipe dream for the Bucks.