The biggest storyline for the Milwaukee Bucks over the past week had been their pursuit of highly sought-after free agent Goran Dragic. After reaching a quick buyout with the San Antonio Spurs at the trade deadline, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Bucks were “aggressive” in their pursuit of Dragic due to a handful of injuries to their backcourt and second unit.
Following a week of speculation, Dragic finally decided where he would be playing next, but it will not be Milwaukee. As first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Dragic has agreed to sign with the Brooklyn Nets, reuniting him with former teammate and now coach Steve Nash. Due to that relationship, the Nets always seemed like the biggest competitor for the Bucks in the Dragic sweepstakes, which ultimately proved true as they inked his signature for the remainder of the 2021-22 NBA season.
Reactions to the Milwaukee Bucks missing out on Goran Dragic to the rivaling Brooklyn Nets
Dragic signing with the Nets stings for a handful of reasons, but largely due to the injuries on the Bucks’ roster currently. Pat Connaughton is set to be sidelined for the next several weeks after he recently underwent surgery to repair a fractured fourth metacarpal in his right hand. Meanwhile, backup point guard George Hill has missed considerable time lately due to neck issues, and his return date remains uncertain. Without their two most productive second unit pieces available, adding a player like Dragic was just what this Milwaukee team needed.
With Dragic off the market, the Bucks will have to pivot elsewhere. Unfortunately, there are not too many other guards currently on the buyout market right now that could come in and make an immediate impact like Dragic may have. Depending on the severity of Hill’s injury and how much more time he could miss, this team needs to add a backup ball-handler behind Jrue Holiday soon. Names like Isaiah Thomas or Jeff Teague are likely the most recognizable, but neither of the two would be as big of a signing as Dragic would have been for the defending champions.
It will be interesting to see what kind of chatter surfaces in the rumor mill surrounding the Bucks over the next several days before they return to the court.
In addition to simply losing out on Dragic, seeing him sign with arguably Milwaukee’s biggest rival within the Eastern Conference adds insult to injury. Though the Nets have slid in the standings as of late, they are a good team when healthy, and they just got even better. When the NBA resumes later this week, the Bucks and Nets will square off, and it will be interesting to see whether or not Dragic suits up for that matchup.
Stay tuned to see what the Milwaukee Bucks may have in store as they look to bolster the roster after missing out on Dragic. One thing remains clear: the Bucks desperately need to find another guard and bring them aboard sooner rather than later.