Ranking Bucks free agents from most to least likely to return next season
By Tyler Watts
![Milwaukee Bucks, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports Milwaukee Bucks, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b6dadcc7e29c587f29052a7e8d36e05431ce91f26f9d2392528aafbd80754852.jpg)
5. Jevon Carter
Carter seems like the perfect fit under new head coach Adrian Griffin. The 6’1 guard defends hard and can contain ball handlers. Griffin is an NBA veteran, who spent nine years in the league as a player and another 15 as an assistant coach. He is known for his player development and defense-first mentality.
Carter is 27 years old, but he is going to bring the defense. The Bucks would love to keep him, but coming off the best season of his NBA career, the 6’1 guard may search for a payday in free agency.
Carter has a $2.2 million player option for next season, which he is expected to decline. If he does, can the Bucks afford to keep him? It depends on what offer he gets in free agency. Milwaukee would love to have him back, but their priority will be re-signing Middleton and Lopez. The Bucks have non-Bird rights on Carter, so they can pay to re-sign him, but will they want to take on the salary cap and tax implications?
Teams across the league are always searching for perimeter defenders, so expect Jevon Carter to draw some interest if he opts out. Will he choose to come back to Milwaukee? That is a total unknown at this point, but something fans should watch closely this summer.