Following a disappointing close to the 2022-23 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks have entered a crucial off-season that features 10 players eligible for free agency.
It goes without saying that not everyone will be back. Whether it is due to fit, role, pay, or anything else, some of Milwaukee’s free agents will not be back in town next season. With that said, let us break down what the Bucks should do with all 10 of their impending free agents.
Meyers Leonard – Let go
In need of added big man depth, the Bucks signed Meyers Leonard in February. Leonard did his job, having served as a third-string break glass in case of an emergency big man. That means he didn’t see much playing time but was always ready when called upon. With so many other Bucks set to hit the free agent market, Leonard likely will not be high on the team’s priority list. If the Bucks are in need of center depth next season at some point, it would not be surprising to see the big man land back in Milwaukee, but it would be quite a shock if they reached a deal this off-season.
Thanasis Antetokunmpo – You know the drill
Is anyone going to be surprised if Thanasis Antetokounmpo is back in Milwaukee next season? No. The older Antetokounmpo brother has served as a motivator and pep-talk deliverer to his younger brother, Giannis Antetokounmpo. He does not play much but is always among the most active on the sidelines. Some love keeping Thanasis around due to his energy, while other fans believe the team should look to use that spot on a player who can give them legitimate minutes. Either way, he’ll likely be back in Milwaukee for another go-round next season. If it keeps Giannis happy, it’s nothing to get overly worked up about.
Joe Ingles – If cheap, retain
Once he debuted and found his groove following a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury, Joe Ingles was a solid addition to the Bucks. He provided perimeter shooting and facilitating as a member of the second unit. Despite Ingles’ role diminished in the postseason, it would not be surprising if the Bucks wanted to keep him around for another year. However, it would have to be far cheaper than the $6.5 million they handed him last off-season. If the 35-year-old vet would be willing to accept a team-friendly deal, it would be feasible for the Bucks to retain him.
Dragic – Let go
Like the aforementioned Meyers Leonard, Goran Dragic was a mid-season addition who the Bucks signed for some added depth. Dragic did not play much, and while he does still have some gas left in the tank, it likely will not be in Milwaukee. If he intends to keep playing, Dragic likely would like to find a team where he can play legitimate minutes as he enters his age-37 season. Bringing him back for cheap would not be the worst decision the front office has ever made, but they are likely to prioritize their top guys before Dragic.
Wesley Matthews – Retain for the low
Wesley Matthews played the fewest minutes of his career during the 2022-23 regular season, but he was still a valuable piece for the Bucks. Even at age 36, the veteran brought tough defense and oftentimes took the most difficult wing assignments. At this stage of his career, Matthews will not be a regular in any rotation, but he can still be used situationally to take on these tough matchups. If he decides to continue playing and is willing to take a cheap deal, which he absolutely would be, the Milwaukee Bucks should bring him back for another season.
A.J. Green – Without question, retain
The Bucks, who had the oldest roster in the league this past season, need to add some youth this off-season. A.J. Green, an undrafted rookie, was among the few young players on the roster, and while his minutes were not plentiful, he often showed glimpses of potential when he did take the floor. Green’s strongest attribute is his outside shooting, having knocked down 41.9 percent of his triples during his rookie campaign. It would be fascinating to see what Green could do with a role on this Milwaukee team. His excellent 3-point shooting would make him a seamless on-court fit with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Milwaukee Bucks should utilize that next season.
Jae Crowder – If cheap, retain
The Jae Crowder experiment did not go according to plan. It seemed like Crowder would play a big role for the Bucks down the stretch into the playoffs, but his role was diminished in the playoffs. While Crowder was not excellent during his time with the Bucks, he may have a valid gripe about not playing. One would think that could have him wanting to head elsewhere this off-season, but that is not certain. Crowder did not do himself any favors by sitting out for most of the season, so perhaps he’d be willing to take a “prove it deal” and try to cash in next off-season. If so, it would not hurt for the Milwaukee Bucks to keep an experienced and defensive-minded wing.
Carter – Retain, though it may be challenging
In his first full season with the Bucks, Jevon Carter had the best season of his career. He was an excellent backup point guard to Jrue Holiday and a perfect fit in Milwaukee. Carter will now have a decision to make regarding his $2.2 million player option for next season. Given how well he fits in with the Bucks, the front office would surely like him to opt in, but it seems inevitable that he will decline and test the open market. In that case, the Bucks do have his early-bird rights and would have to give the guard a quality raise to retain him. It would be challenging for the Bucks to find a suitable backup with their limited assets and spending money, so they should try to keep him.
Brook Lopez – Retain
Last off-season, some Bucks fans were starting to plot whether or not it was time to trade away Brook Lopez. His campaign that season was plagued by a back injury, and fans were concerned if he could ever return to his prior form. Well, Lopez had an excellent bounce-back season and put up some of the best numbers of his career in 2022-23. Not only did the big man average 15.9 points per game, but he also led the league in blocks and finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Though he’s 35, keeping Lopez seems like a no-brainer, as it would be hard to find a center who fits in better. Losing the unrestricted free agent for nothing would be a huge blow.
Khris Middleton – Retain
Coming off a season where he played just 33 regular season games, the second-fewest of his career, Khris Middleton has a huge decision coming up. He has a $40.4 million player option to ponder this off-season. If he accepts, he will be back in Milwaukee with that salary for another year, but if he declines, he’ll test the market in hopes of earning a raise. Bucks fans have gone back and forth about whether it’s time to move on from Middleton, but no matter what, the team can – under no circumstances – lose him for nothing. That would be absolutely disastrous, as the Bucks would not be able to free up cap space to sign another major player by letting Middleton walk.
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