The Milwaukee Bucks let it be known leading up to NBA free agency that they wanted to re-sign Jevon Carter after he impressed during his brief time with the team last season.
Shortly after free agency opened, that came to fruition as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Carter and the Bucks were in agreement on a two-year deal to bring the point guard back to Milwaukee. Bucks fans everywhere were mostly thrilled with the move, but let us break it all down and hand this signing a grade.
The financial value of Jevon Carter’s two-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks
Given Milwaukee’s lack of financial flexibility and the fact that they spent a sizeable chunk of their resources on signing Joe Ingles, this deal was never expected to be significant. It was reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto that Jevon Carter’s contract with the Bucks was officially a two-year deal worth $4.6 million. Scotto added that Carter will have a player option in the second season. On impact, this looks like a great move by the Milwaukee Bucks’ front office.
As detailed previously, Carter showed signs last season that he could be a legitimate contributor for the Bucks when given the chance. Who knows, depending on how things transpire in the next few months, Carter could even be Milwaukee’s second-string point guard on opening night, which makes this contract a justifiable one on the team’s end. Being able to retain Carter for cheap was a massive win for the Bucks, and if they utilize him properly, that deal could look like a flat-out steal shortly into next season. If Carter does play well next season, then he will have the opportunity to opt out and potentially seek a raise the following year.
Financially, this is a solid move for the Bucks as they were able to keep an impact player for cheap. On Carter’s end of things, it is interesting that he was willing to take a team-friendly deal to return to the Bucks, given how he fell out of the rotation late last season. There were likely other suitors willing to offer a more prominent role and possibly more money, but the guard wanted to stay put in Milwaukee, it seems. In short, on a minimum deal, this is certainly a justifiable signing.
Assessing Jevon Carter’s fit and role with the Milwaukee Bucks
During his brief time with the Milwaukee Bucks last season, Jevon Carter showcased that he could be the perfect backup point guard for this team.
When George Hill was on the sidelines due to injury, Carter filled in and played the best basketball of his NBA career. The guard has always been known as a defensive ace, and he was utilized as so when he was fortunate enough to hit the floor. Carter oftentimes hounded opposing ball-handlers the entire length of the court, which made life challenging for them. While the Bucks expected the 26-year-old to play robust defense, they likely did not expect how great he would perform on the offensive side of things, having averaged 5.6 points while shooting 55.8 percent from three, both of which were new career bests. Next season, Carter will be tasked with doing more of the same, making his presence felt defensively by pestering opposing guards while providing reliable outside shooting on the opposite end.
Due to Carter’s strong defense and long distance shooting, he fits perfectly with the Bucks. He can be utilized in any lineup that the team throws out on the floor. It is far from controversial to say he should be Milwaukee’s full-time backup point guard next season, as Bucks fans consistently asked for last season. Instead, Budenholzer rode with Hill until the end of the line, which proved to be an incredible mistake as the veteran had a lousy playoff performance, to say the least. Unless he will be moved this offseason, Hill is set to be on the roster once again next year, but Carter should be placed above him in the rotation. Carter is younger, provides more outside shooting, and brings a much stronger brand of defense to the table. Not to mention that Carter will do all of that while he makes about half as much as Hill next season.
If the Bucks were to move on from Hill, it would open the door to a more significant role for Carter, which is something the front office should have in mind. The backup point guard position has been a revolving door for Milwaukee over the last few seasons, and they may have finally struck gold by bringing in Carter last season, so they should take advantage and fully utilize him.
As a Milwaukee Bucks fan, it is hard not to love this signing.
Milwaukee’s signing of Carter was initially glossed over last season, mostly because the Bucks had just missed out on Goran Dragic and fans were rather upset. However, Carter quickly made a name for himself in Milwaukee due to his outstanding two-way play, which provided a sizeable spark off the bench. That was something that this team desperately needed all year long, which made it all the more puzzling when Mike Budenholzer pulled him from the playoff rotation. Entering year two with the Bucks, hopefully Carter gets to play a more consistent role as Jrue Holiday’s backup, as he has found new life in Milwaukee and can undoubtedly help this team nightly. On top of that, he will play on a team-friendly deal, which makes this signing all the more desirable.
Hopefully Budenholzer has learned the error of his ways and Carter gets a legitimate shot to play right from the jump next season. With an entire offseason to build chemistry with his teammates, get more comfortable in the system, and work on his game, Carter could be a key contributor for the Milwaukee Bucks immediately next season.
BTBP Grade: A+
Stay tuned to see what else the Milwaukee Bucks have in store during 2022 NBA free agency.