Milwaukee Bucks: 3 free agent big men to target before 2021-22 season
By Dalton Sell
With training camp set to begin next week, the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to put the finishing touches on their roster ahead of the 2021-22 season.
One area that has sparked concern throughout the offseason has been the team’s lack of size at the center position. Aside from starting big man Brook Lopez and second unit spark Bobby Portis, the only other center on the roster is the recently drafted Sandro Mamukelashvili. They were set to have a second-year big man in Mamadi Diakite on the roster, but the team made a shocking move when they waived him Friday night. The team’s options at the position were limited before waiving Diakite, but they just shrunk even further, which could call for general manager Jon Horst to make some last minutes moves.
If the Bucks are looking to bolster the position, they will likely do it by targeting more experienced pieces. Diakite showed glimpses of untapped potential during his limited playing time last year, but it was seemingly not enough to keep him around, despite the team’s size concerns. With that in mind, there are still some notable veteran big men on the market that could be fitting options. Here are three targets that could be worth taking a flyer on before the 2021-22 seasons starts.
3 big men the Milwaukee Bucks should target — Bismack Biyombo
While he is not the most decorated player, Bismack Biyombo has been a solid role player in the NBA for the last 10 seasons and could be a feasible option for the Bucks.
His career averages include 5.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocked shots per game. Although the points do not stand out, Biyambo has helped make a living in the NBA as a prolific rebounder and shot-blocking big man. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing in at 255 pounds, Biyombo has a hulking stature that has allowed him to excel in both of these areas.
The Bucks would certainly benefit from having another quality shot-blocker and rebounding big man on the roster. While the rebounding in general would help, Biyombo’s knack for grabbing the boards offensively would allow him to fit right in. The shot-blocking speaks for itself also, as Biyombo would help bolster Milwaukee’s defensive efforts closer to the hoop.
An area that could be problematic with Biyombo is his inability to shoot from behind the arc, which is something the Bucks obviously rely on heavily. The big man is 0-for-3 from 3-point range over his 10-year career, meaning it has never been equipped in his arsenal. Still, at just 29-years-old, Biyombo still has plenty left to give at the NBA level. While the Bucks would not be able to offer him a prominent role, he could be a player to help alleviate their depth concerns at the center position. He would undeniably be worth taking a flyer on for camp.