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.
Serge Ibaka is unlikely to return to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
The Milwaukee Bucks acquired Serge Ibaka in a massive four-team deal at the trade deadline, but after less than half a season together, the two sides appear set to go their separate ways.
Milwaukee smartly brought in Ibaka to bulk up their center position and have the big man serve as an insurance policy while they awaited Brook Lopez’s return. As Lopez recovered from a back issue that forced him to go under the knife in December, Ibaka played incredibly well and earned his spot in the rotation. However, once Lopez returned, Ibaka’s time went out the window, and the veteran was demoted to being a spectator most nights. After playing a mere 22 minutes in the playoffs, it is unlikely that Ibaka will willingly return to Milwaukee as he tests free agency.
Although he is not the Ibaka that he once was, the veteran center will certainly have a market, and there are several teams that could use a player of his caliber. While his market value is uncertain, a team will pay to bring aboard the former All-Defensive honoree based on name brand alone. There are organizations out there that will offer him not just more money but also more significant of an opportunity than the Bucks can, and after spending these past few months glued to the sidelines, that is likely what the big man is searching for. No one could truly blame him either.
Unless the Bucks were in the market for a Bobby Portis replacement as he ponders what to do with his upcoming player option, it would be hard to see Ibaka back in Milwaukee. Although he was a great locker room presence and someone that played well when he was given the chance, the opportunity is just not significant enough to envision Ibaka coming back, especially on some discount like the Milwaukee Bucks would have to offer him.
Jevon Carter is unlikely to return to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
The Milwaukee Bucks added Jevon Carter through the buyout market in a move that was initially glossed over, but after a solid run, he will likely be heading elsewhere, unfortunately.
With George Hill sidelined due to various injuries, the Bucks utilized Carter heavily as their backup point guard, and he took advantage of the opportunity. Carter quickly became a fan favorite with his tenacious defense, having picked up opposing players the full length of the floor to disrupt the ball-handlers. On top of that, he was shooting the basketball better than ever before, having put up the best numbers of his career on offense during his brief time in Milwaukee. Carter was the perfect backup point guard for the Bucks, but, unfortunately, coach Mike Budenholzer did not see it that way.
Despite Carter’s strong play, Budenholzer immediately placed Hill back into the rotation once he was healthy again, which proved to be a head-scratching move. To put it lightly, Hill was terrible for the Bucks all season, and giving Carter his minutes was a no-brainer. Yet, Budenholzer rode with Hill until the very end, having played him significant minutes in the postseason while also inexcusably keeping Carter on the sidelines to watch. That had to be a frustrating experience for Carter, and no one could blame him for leaving after he was wronged.
Carter already posted a message on his Instagram that feels like a goodbye, thanking the city of Milwaukee. Teams will be in the hunt for a scrappy, defensive-minded point guard in free agency, so Carter should have no problem finding a new home on the open market. If the Bucks had not handed Hill another guaranteed year on his contract for next season, bringing Carter back would be an easy decision, but that is not the case, unfortunately.
Stay tuned to see how things unravel for these Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.