The Milwaukee Bucks will have a challenging time making significant improvements to their roster this off-season due to a lack of spending money and assets.
In free agency, they’ll be able to offer a few minimum contracts in an attempt to entice players to come to the 414. That means the Bucks will likely be looking into some players who will not be on the upper portion of anyone’s wishlists. However, rather than looking at that negatively, perhaps it could give Milwaukee a chance to find a diamond in the rough.
Among the latest examples of reclamation projects for the Bucks is Jevon Carter, who came over in 2022 after being released by the Brooklyn Nets. Carter, who was set to be on his four team at that point, played the best basketball of his career in Milwaukee. He was undeniably a hidden gem find for this team, and the Bucks would love to find another one like him this off-season.
With that said, let us look at five reclamation projects the Bucks should go after in free agency.
Milwaukee Bucks’ reclamation project No. 1 – Darius Bazley
It was a strange year for Darius Bazley. After three solid seasons with the OKC Thunder, his role shrunk significantly this season, and it only got worse after he was traded to the Phoenix Suns at the trade deadline, as he was an afterthought in their rotation entirely. The forward is now set to be a restricted free agent, and if the Suns let him go, the Bucks should be all over him.
Bazley checks off several boxes for the Bucks, especially their need for youth. Having just finished his fourth NBA season, Bazley is still 22 years old and has plenty of room to grow. He’d add a rare touch of youth to what was the oldest roster in the NBA this past season. On the floor, he’s a big 6-foot-8 power forward who has shown signs of scoring potential. Over the two seasons prior to this one, he averaged 12.1 points while also hauling in 6.7 rebounds per game.
There is potential in Bazley; he just needs the right team to help unlock it. If the Bucks could snag him off the market for cheap, it would be an under-the-radar signing to bring more scoring, youth, and rebounding to this bench brigade.
Milwaukee Bucks’ reclamation project No. 2 – Stanley Johnson
In seven seasons, Stanley Johnson has suited up for five teams. The former eighth-overall pick has not managed to carve out a role for himself no matter where he has gone, but that does not mean he has not flashed signs of potential. As the forward looks to find his next destination for the new season, the Bucks should give him a call.
Johnson should be of interest to the Bucks due to the uncertainty surrounding their wing depth at this point. Wesley Matthews, Jae Crowder, Joe Ingles, and, of course, Khris Middleton, are all set to hit free agency this off-season, meaning the team could use some bodies at the position. During his career, Johnson’s calling card has been defense, and the Bucks could use another tough wing defender, especially if Matthews or Crowder leave. Another key element with Johnson is his age, as he’s 26; he’d add some youth to this roster.
The young forward also makes sense for the Bucks from a financial perspective because he will not command a lot on the open market. He’s looking to make a name for himself in the NBA, and that means he’s hungry. It undoubtedly would not hurt for the Bucks to add a player with a chip on their shoulder, similar to when they added Jevon Carter in 2022.
Milwaukee Bucks’ reclamation project No. 3 – Kendrick Nunn
It’s been a rough couple of years for Kendrick Nunn. After two stellar years with the Miami Heat, he suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 2021-22 season. Upon returning to the court this season, his minutes were a career low, and he was traded mid-season. Now, he’s set to be a free agent and could be an interesting gamble for the Bucks.
First and foremost, the Bucks should go after Nunn only if they lose Jevon Carter in free agency. Carter has a player option and could very well opt out to seek a raise in Milwaukee or elsewhere. At his best, Nunn is a strong scorer and outside shooter who can facilitate well enough. There are questions regarding whether or not he can get back to his pre-injury form, and if he can, the team that signs him could have a hidden gem on their hands.
Following his hit-or-miss season with the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards, Nunn will likely not be in the market for a huge raise. A “prove it deal” could very well be in the works as the guard looks to prove that he can still play at a high level. At 27 years old, Nunn has plenty of fuel in the tank, and if the Bucks are in the market for a backup point guard, he should be on their radar.
Milwaukee Bucks’ reclamation project No. 4 – Justise Winslow
Like the aforementioned Stanley Johnson, Justise Winslow was a high lottery pick who has dealt with injuries and bounced around. After an injury-riddled season with the Portland Trail Blazers limited him to just 29 games, Winslow will be on the market, and the Bucks should do their due diligence on the former Duke product to assess his potential value.
Again, the Bucks need wings. The 6-foot-6 Winslow fits the billing, as he’s a very versatile player who can play a slew of different positions. He’d bring more hard-nosed defense whenever he is on the court, which would help him fit in seamlessly. Winslow has never been much of a threat on the offensive end, averaging 8.2 points per game in his career, but he can make an impact on that side of things due to his facilitating. He’s had four seasons averaging 3.4 or more assists per game in his career; having another strong passer is never a bad thing.
Winslow will not be in the market for a huge deal this off-season. He’s played a mere 114 games over the past four seasons, which may justifiably scare some people away from bringing him to Milwaukee. However, if he can take the off-season to get healthy and is willing to take a cheap deal, he’d be a good fit for the Bucks. At 27 years old, Winslow still has something to give, and he could become a good rotational piece for the Milwaukee Bucks if he stays healthy.
Milwaukee Bucks’ reclamation project No. 5 – T.J. Warren
After playing a combined four games over the prior two seasons, T.J. Warren returned to the court. He didn’t look like the player who was scoring 50 points in the NBA Bubble or averaging more than 15 points per game over his previous four seasons, but that was to be expected following a tough injury like his. Warren will now hit the free agent market, and the Bucks should give him a shot.
One of the Bucks’ biggest issues over the past few years has been a lack of reliable scorers and shot-creators in the supporting cast. Warren would help in this department. The forward was a reliable scorer prior to his injuries and was still decent this past season, averaging 7.5 points per game on 48.9 percent shooting in a minimal role. The Bucks could use another quality scorer off the bench, and Warren would help. Not to mention that he’d be another 6-foot-8 wing for them to utilize and keep that rotation stocked.
At 29 years of age, Warren is still fairly young. He’d be among the younger players on Milwaukee’s roster right now and still has something left to give. If he can spend the off-season getting healthy and getting back to his pre-injury form, he could be an excellent addition to any bench brigade in the NBA. If the Bucks can snag him for cheap in NBA free agency, they absolutely should.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis this off-season.