The Milwaukee Bucks put the finishing touches on their roster before the 2022 NBA Playoffs with the recent signing of Rayjon Tucker to a multi-year contract.
Per Spotrac, Tucker will make $28,799 for the remainder of this season, but the next two years of the deal will not be guaranteed. For 2022-23, Tucker’s deal would be worth $1.8 million and a tick under $2 million the following season if he does remain with the franchise. It is a solid deal as it gives the defending champions some financial and roster flexibility while also getting the chance to assess the guard’s play.
While it is not a seismic signing by the Milwaukee Bucks and there are questions as to how much Tucker will play with the champions, this is still a solid overall signing. With that being said, let us break down three reasons why fans should embrace the move to give bring Tucker aboard.
No. 1 – Rayjon Tucker injects some youth into the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster and gives them a young piece to develop
Given how veteran-oriented the Milwaukee Bucks are, they do not have many young pieces on the roster. With the team focused on winning a title year after year, they are always looking for players with experience rather than ones looking to gain it. For example, look at the defending champions’ trade for Serge Ibaka, a seasoned NBA veteran with previous championship experience, earlier this season that saw them move 25-year-old Donte DiVincenzo, their best young asset. Other factors played into making that trade deadline deal, but it does not change the fact that the Bucks do not have too many young pieces on the team as they prioritize veterans.
Before signing Tucker, the Bucks had just three players under the age of 26 on the roster, including Jordan Nwora (23), Lindell Wigginton (23), and Sandro Mamukelashvili (22). While these three have not seen significant time with the Bucks this season, they have spent time developing their games in the G-League, where they have all shown signs that they could possibly be contributors in some capacity down the road. Now, the Bucks will have a fourth member of the under-26 club as Tucker, 24, has signed on, and he brings potential to the table as well.
While the next two years of Tucker’s deal are non-guaranteed, the guard will likely stick with the Bucks in some capacity, whether it is the Summer League or the G-League. Who knows, if Tucker plays well enough and impresses, he could even make the 2022-23 opening night roster and play meaningful minutes consistently next season with the Bucks. That is just speculation, but adding some youth into the mix is a solid move for this team, as it allows them to develop players while also contending for a title.