The Milwaukee Bucks were officially the first team to clinch a spot in the 2023 NBA Playoffs and remain in pursuit of locking up the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
At the moment, everyone in that locker room is zeroed in on winning a championship; that is their end goal this season. If the Bucks make a deep playoff run, it could help several soon-to-be free agents earn a nice payday in NBA free agency. The two obvious candidates to earn a big raise are Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, both of whom could potentially hit the market. Instead, let us look at three role players who could earn a big payday if they step up down the stretch.
3 Bucks’ role players who could earn a big payday down the stretch: Joe Ingles
Coming off an ACL tear, Joe Ingles signed with the Bucks on a one-year deal worth $6.5 million this past offseason. Given Ingles’ age and uncertain timetable due to the injury, many fans were pretty skeptical of the move. Yet, the vision was clear from the front office. Ingles had established himself as one of the best reserves in the NBA, having finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year race in 2020-21, and this team needed some second-unit firepower. Thus far, the Ingles gamble has unquestionably paid off.
After a slow start, which was understandable due to the injury and new environment for the first time in his career, Ingles has been great. On the year, he’s averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 40.1 percent from three. Ingles’ ball-handling capabilities and red-hot 3-point shooting have been a major help off of the bench, so much so that the forward’s role has only increased with the team as time has gone on. Ingles has been terrific in the month of March and will likely continue to be featured heavily in the rotation moving forward.
If Ingles can finish out the regular season strong and carry this momentum over into the playoffs, he could certainly help this team in a big way. In a playoff setting, Ingles could help run the offense to take some pressure off of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and others, which would help a lot. If he’s knocking down his triples consistently as well, it would be huge. Ingles may earn himself a raise when he re-enters free agency this off-season if he steps up on the playoff stage.
3 Bucks’ role players who could earn a big payday down the stretch: Jae Crowder
Set to enter unrestricted free agency this off-season, Jae Crowder finds himself in somewhat of an unorthodox situation. After sitting out for the first portion of the season due to some internal dispute with the Phoenix Suns, Crowder landed with the Bucks in February. Rather than showing his worth for an entire season, Crowder will only have a few months, but if he can step up in a big way like the Bucks envisioned he could, he could certainly cash in this off-season.
The Bucks traded for Crowder because they wanted a defensive-minded wing who was versatile in the sense that they could guard multiple positions. Crowder has been just that in his 11 games thus far. He’s brought some added intensity to that side of the ball, and it helps that he has shot 39.4 percent from three as well. Due to how well the veteran has fit in, it would not be surprising to see him end up in Milwaukee’s starting lineup full-time down the stretch. It’s become quite the cliche, but the hope is that Crowder can be a game-changer like P.J. Tucker was in 2021.
If Crowder can help the Bucks like Tucker did, he could earn himself a nice payday. He’s the perfect mold of a 3-and-D wing, and plenty of teams would pay a premium for one of those. If Crowder is capable of making an impact down the stretch, he could earn a deal in the same ballpark as Tucker in that $33 million over three years range, if not more. Ultimately, it all comes down to how he will play over the next few months. “CUT OFF MY FINGER TO SAVE MY HAND” is what Crowder said when he was traded to Milwaukee. He bet on himself, and hopefully, he backs it up.
3 Bucks’ role players who could earn a big payday down the stretch: Jevon Carter
After how last season ended, many were surprised when Jevon Carter re-signed with the Bucks on a two-year deal worth $4.3 million. The second year is a player option, so it seemed like Carter was willing to play on a team-friendly deal this season to possibly opt out in the off-season and get a bigger deal. So far, that gamble has paid off for him in a big way, as he’s been a significant piece for the Bucks in what has been the best season of his young career.
Above all else, Carter’s career year has been fueled by simply receiving an opportunity. Right now, he’s averaging 22.3 minutes per matchup; his previous career high was 16.3. Carter gas started in 35 games this season; his previous career high was three. The Bucks have let Carter spread his wings, and he’s proven them right by averaging new career highs in points, field goals, 3-pointers, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and minutes. Milwaukee’s backup point guard has been terrific, and he will continue to be a big piece for them down the stretch.
If Carter can carry this strong play over to the big stage, it will not be hard for him to earn a raise; he’d blow his current figures out of the water. Of course, it all depends on how he performs and how big of a role he plays, but it seems like Carter is in the best groove of his career right now.
Stay tuned to see how these three Bucks perform down the stretch and how that may impact their potential impending free agencies.