Among the Milwaukee Bucks’ upcoming free agents is Jae Crowder, whom they traded for at the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline.
Crowder was initially viewed as a huge addition to this team, but things never panned out as the forward dealt with an injury and never found his footing. Following a devastating playoff collapse by the Bucks, Crowder told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Subscription required) that he was not sure why the Bucks brought him in and that he did not know his purpose there. While nothing is certain, that doesn’t sound like a person who wants to return for another go-round. If the Bucks do lose Crowder, here are three players they should target to keep their wing depth intact.
No. 1 – Torrey Craig
In the summer of 2020, the Bucks signed Torrey Craig to a minimum deal. It was a solid signing at the time, as the Bucks were in need of a tough defensive-minded wing. However, Craig’s time with the Bucks was simply weird. A nose injury early in the season took him out of the rotation, and he was never able to find his way into the mix. He was eventually traded to the Phoenix Suns at the deadline for cash. With so many questions about their wing depth this off-season, the Bucks may be wise to consider a reunion with the 32-year-old small forward.
Craig has been solid post-Bucks and just had the best regular season of his career, having put up 7.4 points per game while shooting 39.3 percent from deep. While he’s a quality outside shooter, Craig’s calling card is primarily his defense. The 6-foot-7 wing can defend a slew of positions and make things challenging for opposing scorers. After watching the Bucks in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, it’s beyond clear that they need more players who can do that, and Craig would be a seamless fit. With players like Wesley Matthews and George Hill, the Bucks have never been shy about bringing players back for a second chance, and they should consider the same here.
It’s unclear what kind of compensation Criag may be seeking once his current contract expires, but Milwaukee’s front office should throw their hat in the mix to find out.
No. 2 – Kelly Oubre Jr.
In addition to simply adding wing depth, the Bucks desperately need some youth and athleticism this offseason. They could knock out three birds with just a single stone by targeting 27-year-old Kelly Oubre Jr. They have shown interest in the swingman before, with SNY’s Ian Begley reporting that the Bucks were among a handful of teams to pursue Oubre during the 2021 off-season. With a dire need for those three attributes, Oubre should be on Milwauke’s radar once again.
Oubre would immediately give the Bucks a big jolt of youth and athleticism. He can jump out of the gym and would give the Bucks another threat in transition. Defensively, he’s 6-foot-7 and could be a major piece when the team starts switching. Offensively, he just averaged 20.3 points per game in the regular season, which was a new career high. Adding a two-way player like Oubre would be a huge boost for this Milwaukee team next season.
Adding Oubre would be easier said than done for the Bucks, as they would likely need him to take a major financial discount. Who knows what the 27-year-old will be looking for in free agency, but if contending is among his top priorities, Milwaukee should look to convince him that they are the best place for him. Time will tell, but he’s a name to keep an eye on for the moment.
No. 3 – Dillon Brooks
Before they landed Jae Crowder, the Bucks were reportedly looking at another wing: Dillon Brooks. The Athletic’s Shams Charania said on a recent episode of the Through the Wire podcast that the Bucks reached out to the Memphis Grizzlies about a trade, but nothing materialized. As they look to replenish their wing depth this off-season, Milwaukee should reignite that interest in Brooks.
Yes, Brooks is a controversial figure who can talk a bigger game than he can back up sometimes. Yet, he still checks off several boxes for Milwaukee, starting with the fact that he’s 6-foot-7 and can defend at an extremely high level. On top of that, he’s 27 years old, so he’d bring some youth to this roster. As for his trash-talking, Brooks is a competitor. He brings intensity and an edge on the court, two things the Bucks lacked in the 2023 NBA Playoffs from start to finish.
As for the financial specifics, Brooks’ value is as low as it’s ever been following a tough postseason outing against the Los Angeles Lakers. If the team could scoop him up on a prove-it deal, it would be a huge win for Milwaukee. Brooks is undoubtedly a gamble worth taking a chance on.
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