The Milwaukee Bucks’ championship defense came up short after they fell to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
With their season over, all the focus for the Bucks now shifts to the offseason and how they can position themselves to bounce back next season. A significant part of that will be deciding which impending free agents will be back next season and which ones will be playing elsewhere. There are plenty of players on either side of that argument, but let us look at three free agents that are the likeliest to return to the Milwaukee Bucks next season.
Milwaukee Bucks’ free agents likeliest to return: Thanasis Antetokounmpo
The first one is virtually guaranteed, as it would be shocking to see Thanasis Antetokounmpo on a team not named the Milwaukee Bucks next season.
The 29-year-old has a player option worth $1.9 million for the 2022-23 season, and he will likely accept that with little hesitation. Antetokounmpo has been with the team for several years now, and although he has never been a consistent contributor on the floor, he has been a great locker room presence, always serving as the most vibrant player on the bench. It is no secret that he is also the biggest motivator for Giannis Antetokounmpo, his younger brother, so keeping him in the mix for that reason alone would be feasible.
Barring some unforeseen change, Antetokounmpo will be back in green next season, and it will be interesting to see what the future may hold for him. People often declare that he is only with the Bucks because he is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother, but the older Antetokounmpo has proven in the past that he can play at a high level. Whether he is throwing down a vicious dunk, skying up for a rebound, or playing some incredibly aggressive defense, Thanasis can make some plays, and perhaps the Bucks will look to get him more involved next season, given that he does return once free agency ultimately kicks off.
Utilizing one of their final few roster spots on Thanasis is a low-risk move for the Bucks, so there is no harm done in keeping him around on this team-friendly deal.
Milwaukee Bucks’ free agents likeliest to return: Pat Connaughton
Another key role player for the Milwaukee Bucks that will have a tough decision to make with their player option this offseason is Pat Connaughton.
Coming off the best season of his career yet, Connaughton has a player option worth $5.7 million for next season. Given how strongly he played, he could certainly earn himself a raise during this upcoming free agency period. The Bucks should do everything in their power to bring back Connaughton for next season, given how important he has proven to be for this team over the past several seasons. Although it will not be easy, it is possible to get a new deal done, given that Connaughton ultimately opts out, which seems inevitable.
Connaughton has been labeled as Milwaukee’s Swiss Army Knife over the years, a title that he has consistently lived up to. Whether it be with his electrifying shooting, robust defense, or his stellar level of versatility, Connaughton does so much for this basketball team on both sides of the floor. Losing him would be a devastating blow for the Bucks, and hopefully they understand this as the guard will likely decline his player option.
Although the Bucks retaining Connaughton will not be easy, it seems likely that he will return just because of how important he is to this team. The front office would be foolish to let him walk, and although one could have said the same about P.J. Tucker last year, Connaughton has been with this organization far longer. Connaughton also said in an interview with SB Nation’s Michael Pina last year that he wanted to continue building something in Milwaukee for the long haul. As long as that line of thinking remains unchanged, Connaughton seemingly wants to stay.
Milwaukee Bucks’ free agents likeliest to return: Wesley Matthews
After coming aboard and playing a pivotal role for the Milwaukee Bucks mid-season, the future is uncertain for Wesley Matthews, but it would not be surprising in the slightest to see him return.
Matthews started the 2021-22 NBA season at home because he wanted to chance to play for the Bucks. A Madison native, Matthews wanted to opportunity to play for his home state, and despite having offers from other teams, he remained patient with the Bucks. Finally, he was awarded the opportunity in December via a non-guaranteed deal, and he eventually worked his way up to being a full-time starter for the Bucks. Matthews will now enter unrestricted free agency, and given just how persistent he was on playing in Milwaukee this season, it is no surprise that he seemingly is set on staying in town and playing beyond his 14th NBA season.
During his exit interview on Monday, Matthews made it clear that he will not be retiring and that he would like to run it back in Milwaukee next season. Bringing the veteran swingman back would be a low-risk move for the Bucks. While the Bucks should prioritize getting younger on the wing, keeping the veteran around would not be the worst move, as he did show this season that he could still play at a high level. Keeping him around to serve as a 3-and-D wing would be a feasible move, especially considering Matthews will certainly not command any significant money in free agency. At 35-years-old, Matthews’ best days are behind him, but he could still be a contributor in the right system and for the right amount of money.
Barring a sudden change, Matthews will likely look to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Stay tuned to see just how things pan out for these impending free agents.