Jon Horst details Milwaukee Bucks’ approach to the buyout market

There is a reason why many consider Milwaukee Bucks’ general manager Jon Horst to be among the best in the business today. The former Executive of the Year has a well-known track record of solid moves that have put this team in a position to succeed, largely due to his aggressive nature when it comes to addressing the team’s biggest needs. That is precisely what Horst did during the 2022 NBA trade deadline by making a trade for Serge Ibaka to give Milwaukee another center as they await Brook Lopez’s return.

Although the Bucks patched one of their biggest flaws with the addition of Ibaka, Horst is not yet done making moves. That trade helped open up several roster spots that the Bucks will look to fill over the next several months before the postseason, and Horst will undoubtedly aim to fortify the roster even further with that flexibility. When asked how he plans to tackle the buyout market to bolster Milwaukee’s personnel, Horst’s answer was rather clear-cut.

"“I think we’re looking for the best fit talent-wise, the best fit kind of culture-wise, and it could really manifest itself across the board, really. It could be guard help. It could be big help. You know we are always looking for shooting. We are always looking for experience and toughness, defensive versatility. A lot of the things that Serge gave us in this move, I think we will look for more of that, but positionally, I’m really less worried about what that means positionally.I think we’re really balanced and really deep, so yeah, we have three roster spots. I think our team is, but I’m thankful we have three roster spots. It was one of the goals to really take some more bites of the apple and figure out how to add some more pieces to this team. I don’t think we are going to rush. If something great comes at us, you know, we’ll do it as early as today, tomorrow, or the next day. If we don’t love it, we will wait. We’ll be patient. I don’t think we have to rush to do anything. There’s not a big hole, in my mind, in our roster.”"

Thoughts on general manager Jon Horst’s approach to the buyout market for the Milwaukee Bucks

Horst is correct in saying that there is not a giant hole in Milwaukee’s current roster, given that he fixed that problem at the trade deadline by adding Ibaka. However, the Bucks do need to add some guard depth sooner rather than later, as things could get problematic if not.

George Hill has missed the past several games due to neck soreness and is expected to miss time through the All-Star break, while Pat Connaughton will also be sidelined for an extended period after he fractured the fourth metacarpal on his right hand and underwent surgery. Milwaukee is also without Donte DiVincenzo and Rodney Hood, who were both moved at the deadline, which is troublesome for their guard depth. As the Bucks aim to improve in the buyout market, adding one or two guards would help.

Thankfully, it appears that the Bucks are gearing up to address this problem by targeting a veteran floor general in Goran Dragic. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Milwaukee plans to make an “aggressive” run at Dragic once he is bought out by the San Antonio Spurs due to the injury to Connaughton, which makes sense. Dragic will be highly-sought after one he is bought out, and he would be a significant addition to this shorthanded second unit for the Bucks.

In addition to another guard, the Bucks would be wise to target some added wing depth as they prepare for the home stretch of the regular season. With one of their most versatile defenders in Connaughton sidelined, Milwaukee’s defense could take a hit. Someone like DeAndre’ Bembry, who has waived by the Brooklyn Nets in the aftermath of the Ben Simmons trade, could be the piece that they need. The 6-foot-5 swingman could be a seamless fit in Milwaukee’s system and someone that could help them on impact.

Ultimately, the Bucks are in a good place, despite the injuries. Horst added that both Connaughton and Lopez will be back for Milwaukee this year, which is great news. With three open roster spots, Horst and the Bucks will have the opportunity to make more moves before their title defense and make themselves more formidable. Whether it is another big man, a guard, a wing, or whatever else, Horst has earned the benefit of the doubt with his history of moves.

Stay tuned to find out what he may have in store for the Milwaukee Bucks as they have vacant roster spots to fill.