3 Milwaukee Bucks’ free agent targets with ties to Brook Lopez
By Dalton Sell
Since being selected 10th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, Brook Lopez has had quite a career with the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
During that time frame, the former All-Star big man has played with plenty of notable teammates. As the Bucks look to retool their roster this offseason, perhaps the front office could take a look at some of Lopez’s former teammates to improve ahead of next season. In addition to the names the Bucks could pursue on the trade market, there are several intriguing soon-to-be free agents with a connection to Lopez that could be compelling targets for Milwaukee. With that being said, let us look at three players that fit the description.
The Milwaukee Bucks could target Thaddeus Young in NBA free agency
Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young were teammates for a pair of seasons with the Brooklyn Nets from 2014-16. Young had been mentioned as a desirable target for the Milwaukee Bucks over the course of the 2021-22 campaign, and although they never made a move for him, that should not stop the front office from trying to bring the 33-year-old aboard this offseason in free agency. The addition of Young could hypothetically check several boxes off of general manager Jon Horst’s offseason to-do list, making him an incredibly tempting target for Milwaukee.
Standing at 6-foot-8, 235lbs, Young is a brawny power forward that can utilize his strength to play some solid defense, which is exactly what the Bucks need. Among the top priorities for Milwaukee this offseason is acquiring a small ball power forward to place alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo when coach Mike Budenholzer goes to his smaller lineups, and Young would fit. Not only could the forward bulk up Milwaukee’s defense, but he could also provide a scoring punch, having averaged 12.8 points per game in over 1,000 career regular season games to date.
The prominent concern with Young would be his lack of a consistent outside shot and how that could hurt his fit in with the Bucks on the offensive end. The veteran has shot just 33.2 percent from deep in his career, and given how heavily Milwaukee relies on their long range shooting, that could spell trouble. However, given Young’s defense, versatility, and ability to score elsewhere, the Bucks should still be willing to add the 33-year-old if the opportunity is there.
Although Young is coming off his least productive season to date after a frustrating year with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors, that should not stop the Bucks from making a run at him in NBA free agency. The power forward would be the definition of a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Bucks, as he would make this roster more formidable on impact. It will be interesting to see what Young commands on the free agent market after his down year, but if it is not significant, the Bucks should be all in on pursuing him.