After acquiring Serge Ibaka at the trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks are expected to continue seeking roster upgrades through the buyout market. While there are several players that would be fitting targets for the defending champions, one player they reportedly could express interest in is Goran Dragić, the NBA’s 2013-14 Most Improved Player.
The 35-year-old guard was traded to the San Antonio Spurs on the day of the deadline, and ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the two sides are likely to negotiate a contract buyout, which would allow Dragić to finish the season elsewhere. Wojnarowski followed that up by stating that the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, and the Bucks are all expected to pursue the former All-Star guard.
Once he is bought out, Dragić will be among the most sought-after targets on the market, and the Bucks would be wise to make a run at him. With that said, let us look at three reasons why.
Goran Dragić would bring battle-tested experience to the Milwaukee Bucks
Given their championship desires, the Bucks are always in the hunt for experienced veterans that can help them reach that goal. Dragić has been in the association for 14 seasons and has played 872 regular season games, as well as 56 playoff games, including a trip to the NBA Finals during the 2019-20 season, meaning he fits the billing in that regard.
As noted by Wojnarowski, the veteran “has an outstanding postseason pedigree and a penchant for immediately taking on leadership roles with teams,” which would be welcoming additions to this Milwaukee locker room. While the Bucks have plenty of postseason pedigree of their own in the locker room following last year’s title run, bringing in a seasoned veteran like Dragić could be an added boost to help this team in their quest to repeat as NBA Champions.
Though there are Bucks fans that hold some animosity toward Dragić due to his antics in his last two playoff meetings with Milwaukee, his presence could be great with this team. If everyone is willing to let bygones be bygones to pursue the ultimate goal of a title, then Dragić makes sense as a target for this team. Milwaukee’s potential interest suggests that may very well be the case.
Goran Dragić would help replenish the Milwaukee Bucks’ guard depth
The Bucks are depleted in the backcourt right now with a handful of names either injured or having been traded away at the deadline.
George Hill has missed the past several games due to neck soreness, and coach Mike Budenholzer recently said that his absence could carry over into the upcoming All-Star break. This has left the Bucks without a legitimate backup ball-handler in the second unit, which has been challenging for the champs to endure. To make matters worse, Pat Connaughton has joined Hill on the injured list after he fractured his right fourth metacarpal in Thursday’s tough loss to the Phoenix Suns, which will keep him out for quite some time as he undergoes surgery.
Hill and Connaughton were Milwaukee’s two leading bench scorers this year, and their absences could spell trouble for the Bucks, especially given the team’s trade deadline moves. Milwaukee is without both Donte DiVincenzo and Rodney Hood now after dealing them at the deadline, leaving the team without two other typical reserves. It is incredibly unfortunate that Connaughton’s ugly injury occurred just hours after the deadline passed, as the Bucks may have taken an aggressive approach to add another guard had they known.
Due to their lack of depth, the Bucks turned to rookie Lindell Wigginton and sophomore forward Jordan Nwora in the loss to the Suns, two rather inexperienced players. Rather than relying on a pair of younger pieces for the time being, the Bucks would be exponentially better if they were able to secure a piece like Dragić in the buyout market. There are few players potentially set to be bought out that would be better than Dragić, as he would be the perfect backup floor general for the Bucks as they await reinforcements.
Goran Dragić would help improve the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench production
With Bobby Portis, who earned Sixth Man of the Year consideration last season, stepping up as a full-time starter due to Brook Lopez’s injury, Milwaukee’s bench has struggled to contribute most nights. The second unit ranks 29th in points, 29th in assists, and 25th in rebounds per game, and these numbers are bound to get worse with their two most productive pieces in Connaughton and Hill set to miss some time. The Bucks need help off the bench, and they could kill two birds with a single stone by adding Dragić to provide a second unit spark and bolster their guard depth.
Dragić has proven to be one of the better bench contributors in the NBA over the past two years, averaging 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per contest. Numbers like that could be just what the Bucks need right now, giving them a reputable guard that can alleviate hefty minutes at the guard position from Jrue Holiday. The former All-Star could provide the second unit spark that this team has lacked throughout the entire season and desperately need with two key pieces both set to be sidelined.
Although his regular season production is great, his playoff numbers are legitimately eye-catching. Across 21 postseason games over the past two years, Dragić averaged an impressive 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and a steal per game, having turned things up a notch once the playoffs began. Having a productive piece like that off the bench could be a game-changer for Milwaukee in the playoffs, giving them another player that can be relied on when the lights are the brightest.
Given how poorly Milwaukee’s bench has played this season, Dragić could be the missing piece, and the Bucks should make a persistent pitch to acquire him once bought out.
Stay tuned to see if the Bucks can ink Dragić’s signature for the remainder of the season.