Ranking Bucks free agents from most to least likely to return next season
By Tyler Watts
The Milwaukee Bucks had the best regular season record in the NBA before being bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury played a factor, but the disappointing ending has already brought changes to Milwaukee.
Mike Budenholzer was fired, despite leading the Bucks to the championship in 2021, and he was replaced by Adrian Griffin. The first-time head coach has already added Terry Stotts to his staff, and Bucks figure to look and play different under the new regime.
There will be roster shake-ups too, and it could begin with departures in free agency. The Bucks had nine soon-to-be free agents on their roster last season. How many of them will be back?
Ranking Milwaukee Bucks free agents by likelihood of departing this summer
9. Brook Lopez
Lopez is coming off an outstanding season where he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year Voting and made the All-Defensive first-team for the first time in his career. It has been an incredible transformation for the 35-year-old, who was an All-Star in Brooklyn but known as an offense-first center.
Lopez has formed an outstanding partnership with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, and the Bucks have to find a way to bring back their defensive anchor. There will be plenty of interest in the unrestricted free agent, but his five years in Milwaukee should give the Bucks an advantage in re-signing him.
How much is too much for Lopez? They are just $16.4 million below the second tax apron with just eight players under contract. Are the Bucks willing to spend beyond it and face the repercussions? It is a tough decision, but they must retain Brook Lopez.