After losing to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks must now brace for a long offseason ahead.
Among the questions that always get asked in the offseason, the most prominent is which players will the Bucks retain and which ones will they lose in free agency. Given how strapped for cash the Bucks are, they cannot keep everyone and just run it back. There are bound to be some goodbyes once free agency officially begins down the line, but the question is who they will be coming from following this disappointing finish. With all of that said, let us look at the three likeliest candidates to leave this offseason based on fit, opportunity, or whatever else.
Lindell Wigginton is unlikely to return to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
The Milwaukee Bucks brought Lindell Wigginton aboard utilizing one of their two-way contracts during the regular season, and his future with the team is unclear.
Wigginton is set to become a restricted free agent once free agency hits, and the Bucks will have a decision to make on his qualifying offer worth $1.6 million. Although that is an affordable salary, it seems unlikely that the Bucks will be bringing the young guard back for next season. The team has so many other issues to address that they likely will not have time for an end of the bench player, although accepting that qualifying offer would be a rather low-risk move.
The 24-year-old did show some signs of promise during his brief playing time with the Bucks this season, having provided some energy with his scoring, shooting, and defensive peskiness. During his 19 appearances with the Bucks this season, Wigginton averaged 4.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 10.5 minutes per contest. Numbers like that are not likely moving the needle for the Bucks, as aside from when they were missing a piece or two in the backcourt, Wigginton’s playing time was often limited to mop-up duty.
It would not be surprising to see Wigginton back with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G-League affiliate, next season, given that he has spent time there before. However, it would be tough to imagine him being back in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform next season, as of right now.