Due to their financial restraints and a lack of desirable assets, the Milwaukee Bucks will likely not be making any sizeable moves this offseason.
Instead, they will focus on retooling the supporting cast, which should start with retaining a pair of vital rotational pieces in Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton. Elsewhere, Milwaukee’s roster has its share of flaws, such as the need for a quality small ball four, more wing depth, and upgrading at the backup point guard position. To solve some of these issues, the front office could look to make moves in free agency and hope to strike gold, as they did last season by adding two solid veterans in Wesley Matthews and DeMarcus Cousins, who were just sitting at home before being called in. The Bucks will have to get lucky this offseason, and here are five low-cost free agents that could end up being hidden gems for the team to pursue.
Jalen Smith could be a hidden gem for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
Jalen Smith’s career has been an odd one to this point. After being selected 10th overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2020 NBA Draft, Smith spent the first two seasons primarily on the bench, having struggled to get minutes. The big man was dealt to the Indiana Pacers this past season, where he played like the former 10th overall pick that he is as he finally got a legitimate shot to prove himself. Smith’s strong close to the 2021-22 season with the Pacers could make him a feasible unrestricted free agent target for the Milwaukee Bucks.
There were rumblings that the Bucks had some interest in Smith leading up to the trade deadline last season, as reported by Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer. Smith made sense as a target due to an injury to Brook Lopez that caused him to miss most of the season, as the center would have been a quality insurance policy. Ultimately, the Bucks went for more experience and added Serge Ibaka while Smith went to the Pacers. Now, with Ibaka likely to depart in free agency and Bobby Portis eligible to test the market, the Bucks should look to shore up the frontcourt depth, and Smith may be a reasonable target.
While it came in a small sample size of just 22 games, Smith showed potential with the Pacers by averaging 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and one block in 24.7 minutes per game. He was efficient on the offensive end in that span by knocking down 53.1 percent of his field goals and 37.3 percent of his threes. Numbers like that could unquestionably be captivating for the Bucks, especially as they had previously expressed interest in acquiring him. Not only would Smith add some depth, but he would also inject some youth into this roster, as he recently just turned 22-years-old. Smith could be a young piece worth developing, which is something the Bucks do not have much of right now.
It is unclear what Smith may command in unrestricted free agency, but the Bucks should inquire, as the big man could be a hidden gem to bolster their frontcourt.
Jeremy Lamb could be a hidden gem for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
It has been far from smooth sailing for 30-year-old Jeremy Lamb over the past few years, as the veteran has been bombarded with several tough injuries. The veteran has played in 138 contests over the past three years as a result. By his typical standards, Lamb had a tough year in 2021-22 as his numbers were down, and things were only made more challenging as he was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Sacramento Kings mid-season. Despite his down year, Lamb should be on the Milwaukee Bucks’ radar as they look to touch up their wing depth this offseason.
Though his numbers were bogged down drastically due to a poor shooting year, Lamb has been a solid scorer throughout his career by averaging 10.1 points per game in 10 years. Bench scoring is an area of the roster that the Bucks need to address this offseason, and perhaps Lamb could give some assistance in that regard. Defensively, the 6-foot-5 Lamb has never been expectational, but he has proven to be pesky on that side of the ball by utilizing his eye-popping 6-foot-11 wingspan. The swingman would not be a needle-tipping addition, but he could shore up Milwaukee’s lacking wing depth while potentially giving them some added scoring and defense off the bench.
Considering how his year played out with the Pacers and Kings, one would think that Lamb will not be in the market for a hefty payday this offseason. He may seek a “prove it deal” to showcase that he can still play at a high level, and the Bucks would be wise to potentially offer him one. Not only would adding Lamb bring some much-needed depth into the mix, but if the swingman can bounce back from this tough string of injuries in recent memory, he could be a legitimate rotational piece in head coach Mike Budenholzer’s rotation. If Lamb is available for cheap, the Bucks should take a flyer on the 30-year-old with little hesitation.
T.J. Warren could be a hidden gem for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
The third consecutive former Indiana Pacer on this list is T.J. Warren, who has also been put in a tough spot over the past two years due to injury. Warren has appeared in just four games in the past two seasons due to stress fracture issues in his foot, and his value is clouded heading into unrestricted free agency because of it. If the forward is looking to prove himself after essentially missing the last two seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks could be a perfect pairing for both parties.
First and foremost, Warren would immediately help fix Milwaukee’s lack of second unit scoring. The forward has been a stellar scorer throughout his career by averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from deep. Though there are some questions as to whether or not the forward can pick up where he left off prior to his injuries, the thought of adding a lethal scorer like Warren to a bench that lacked any consistent scoring threat all season long is incredibly enticing. The 6-foot-8 forward would also help shore up Milwaukee’s depth at the position, killing two birds with one stone.
The most significant question surrounding Warren is what kind of deal he could be seeking in free agency. If Warren is possibly looking at a “prove it deal” after playing just four games over the last two seasons, then the Bucks must pounce on it. Bringing Warren aboard would be the definition of a low-risk, high reward signing, as the forward could potentially solve several of the team’s issues on impact while playing on a team-friendly deal. Signing Warren makes all the sense in the world for the Bucks, and if he is healthy, he could make their second unit incredibly formidable.
Jevon Carter could be a hidden gem for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
When the Milwaukee Bucks signed Jevon Carter via the buyout market this past season, many fans were initially displeased. This is because the Bucks were initially in pursuit of Goran Dragic, who was a far more recognizable name on the market at the time. However, Carter was quickly embraced by the fanbase soon after as he played some great basketball for the Bucks when he was given playing time. With the guard set to hit free agency, it is not controversial to say that Milwaukee should look to bring him back next season.
During his 20 regular season games with the Bucks, Carter was solid off the bench by averaging 5.6 points while shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and 55.8 percent from three, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 17.7 minutes per game, all of which were career highs. The point guard thrived in Milwaukee’s system, providing a sizeable boost offensively while also playing some reputable defense. Bringing Carter back would be a no-brainer, especially considering that he likely will not command a significant deal in free agency. The guard played great upon arrival for the Bucks, but perhaps he could be even better next season with that experience in the system under his belt.
Despite how obvious bringing Carter back should be for the Bucks, it is not that simple right now. His tenure with the Bucks was a frustrating one as coach Budenholzer went with familiarity over production down the stretch and into the playoffs by playing George Hill, who had arguably his worst season yet, over Carter, who was far better. With Hill under contract for next season, one could not blame Carter for potentially being hesitant to return and not earn playing time as he did last season. That is why the Bucks should attempt to trade Hill this offseason to make room for Carter in the rotation, as he would be the perfect backup for the team and an upgrade over Hill.
With a more prominent role, who knows how good Carter could be with the Bucks.
Aaron Holiday could be a hidden gem for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency
If the name Aaron Holiday sounds familiar, it is because he is the younger brother of Jrue Holiday, the starting point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. Aaron just split the 2021-22 NBA season with the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns, and he is now set to his restricted free agency once the offseason officially begins. Although it would be interesting to see two of the three Holiday brothers on the same team in itself, Aaron would certainly be of helping the Bucks out as they aim to patch up some flaws this offseason.
As highlighted throughout the previous section, the Bucks desperately need to find an upgrade at the backup point guard position this coming offseason. Hill had an abysmal 2021-22 season, and perhaps the Bucks could look to swap him out with Holiday. The 25-year-old has shown glimpses of potential throughout his four seasons, proving to be a serviceable piece on the offensive end by averaging 7.3 points per game while knocking down 37.3 percent of his 3-pointers. Numbers like that could make Holiday the perfect backup to his brother, giving them a reliable scorer and long range shooter that can make plays in the second unit. Also, as the Bucks look to get younger this offseason, Holiday fits the billing as he is approximately11 years younger than Hill currently is.
The tricky part with Holiday is that he will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and the Suns can match any offer extended in his direction. However, it remains to be seen how much Phoenix values the young guard, given that they did not utilize him heavily after acquiring him at the trade deadline this past season. If they are willing to let him go, Holiday would be a quality fit with the Bucks, and perhaps they could land him for cheap, given that he will not command a hefty salary, in all likelihood.
Stay tuned to see if the Milwaukee Bucks make a run at any of these names this offseason.