The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off a disappointing season in which they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. In order to make a deeper run next season, they should consider adding some veteran players on the veteran minimum.
As with every team lacking sizable cap space, leaning on veteran minimum contracts allows Milwaukee to add some much-needed experience to their roster whilst providing a cost-effective way to improve the team. The veteran minimum is a very low salary, so the Bucks would not have to break the bank to add these players, which would give the Bucks some flexibility. They would not be tied to these players for long-term contracts, so they could easily move on if they do not work out.
In the NBA, a veteran is defined as any player who has signed at least one contract with an NBA team. This means that a player as young as 23 could be considered a veteran, depending on their circumstances. Many players in the league have two or three years of experience playing on veteran minimum deals. This is because rookie deals, especially for second-round picks and free-agent rookies, are often relatively short.
If a player performs well on a veteran minimum deal, they may be offered an NBA veteran extension. However, there are a number of rules governing this, such as the player only having one or two years left on their current deal.
Here are some veteran minimum targets for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023 NBA free agency.
No. 1 – Rodney McGruder
The Bucks have always been open to adding more defense and shooting to the team by way of veteran minimum pickups. Two years ago, it was Semi Ojeleye and Rodney Hood. They eventually added the likes of DeAndre’ Bembry and Jevon Carter for the same reasons.
If Rodney Hood didn’t work, maybe Rodney McGruder will.
This coming offseason, they could take a chance on McGruder, who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent once his contract with the Detroit Pistons expires, though they do have bird rights on him. McGruder is set to be 32 years old by the start of next season after spending seven years in the association.
Rodney McGruder joined the Detroit Pistons for the 2020-2021 season after spending the previous three seasons with the Miami Heat. He signed a one-year contract with the Pistons as a free agent. McGruder’s role with the team was primarily as a shooting guard and small forward, providing depth off the bench.
During his time with the Pistons, McGruder played in 56 games and started in four of them. He averaged 17.3 minutes per game, contributing 5.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. While he wasn’t known for his scoring prowess, he brought energy and hustle on the defensive end.
McGruder’s impact extended beyond the box score, as he was recognized for his strong work ethic and leadership qualities. He often served as a vocal presence on the court, providing guidance to his teammates. Despite his limited role, McGruder’s effort and intensity were appreciated by the coaching staff and fans.
The thing with Rodney McGruder is, you already know exactly what you’re going to get (and not going to get) out of him. He’s shot at least 39 percent from 3-point range in four of his seven seasons in the NBA. In each of those seasons, he attempted at least four threes a game despite playing just 15 to 19 minutes a night.
But on the other end, he challenged shots well and limited opposing forwards (a position in which he spent 40 percent of his playing time) to a decent 45.2 percent efficiency when he was the closest defender, per NBA.com/stats.
He’s not going to wow you with his handles or passing, but he’s been surprisingly consistent for someone who’s struggled to find a place in this league. He’s probably one of those guys who completely fit the mold of being a 3-and-D role player. And that should be more than enough for Milwaukee to take a chance on him.
No. 2 – Taj Gibson
Taj Gibson is a veteran big man who could be a valuable addition to the Milwaukee Bucks on a veteran minimum contract. Gibson is a 14-year veteran who is a solid rebounder and defender. He would be a good backup center for Brook Lopez or power forward in place of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.
Perhaps his most attractive trait for a contending team like Milwaukee is that Gibson has been in the NBA for 14 seasons and has played for several different teams. This means that he knows what it takes to win in the playoffs and can help the Bucks’ young players learn from his experience.
Gibson has also been recognized as a good locker-room presence by his teammates in the past. Gibson is a good leader and a strong imposing presence who can keep his teammates accountable. He would help the Bucks stay focused and motivated through the wear and tear of an 82-game season and, eventually, the playoffs. Players of this mindset will also coexist well next to a players’ coach like Adrian Griffin.
Outside of that, Gibson is still a good rebounder and defender this far into his career, though this is belied by his paltry 3.4 points and 1.9 boards per game during the past regular season.
He is also a good defender at the center position, given his size. His head-to-head stats are impressive yet completely unexpected: he’s held guys like Aaron Gordon, Deandre Ayton, and Domantas Sabonis to below 33 percent efficiency, albeit on extremely limited sample sizes.
Gibson is 37 years old, so he is no longer the player he once was. However, he is still an experienced player who can contribute to a winning team. He is a good rebounder, defender, and serviceable 3-point shooter. He is also a veteran leader who can provide guidance to younger players. If Gibson is willing to accept a bench role, he could still be a valuable asset to a contending team. He would be a good fit for a team that needs a veteran presence and a serviceable option from 3-point range.
It’s clear he still has some good basketball left to play in the tank. And perhaps the Bucks could use someone of his talents this coming season.
No. 3 – Aaron Holiday
Aaron Holiday is a 26-year-old guard who has bounced around the league since being drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the first round in 2018. He has shown flashes of potential, but he has never been able to find a consistent role. In 2022-23, Holiday finally found a home in Atlanta. He played in 63 games, starting in 11 of them. He was a key contributor to the Hawks’ bench unit, which was one of the best in the NBA.
The younger brother of Jrue Holiday could be a possible veteran minimum pickup for the Milwaukee Bucks because he is a young, versatile guard who could provide depth off the bench. He is a career 37.7 percent 3-point shooter who shot 40.9 percent from distance for Atlanta, and to top it all off, he is also a good defender at his position. He could be a valuable asset to the Bucks, who are looking to improve their bench in order to contend for a championship.
Holiday had a solid season for the Atlanta Hawks in 2022-23, averaging 3.9 points, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 rebounds per game. He was a key contributor off the bench for the Hawks, providing energy, shooting, and defense. He was also a reliable playmaking option in the pick-and-roll, which helped the Hawks’ offense when their higher-profile guards were on the bench.
At his age, Holiday still has a lot of strengths he can develop and capitalize on as a young, versatile guard. He’s only 24 years old, but he’s a relatively complete guard, being a good scorer, passer, and defender. He can play both the point guard and shooting guard positions.
Signing Holiday would provide the Bucks with another outside shooting threat. He can also guard multiple positions with his size and lateral quickness, which could be a good contingency plan for the Bucks in case Jevon Carter decides to see what he’s worth on the free agent market. It’s also unlikely the Atlanta Hawks sign him for more than a minimum, given their already-stacked guard rotation, so he could possibly sign a minimum with the Bucks instead to contend for a title alongside his older brother.
The Milwaukee Bucks are a team that is looking to improve their bench in order to contend for a championship. Aaron Holiday could be a valuable asset to the Bucks. Perhaps a brotherly reunion is in order here.
No. 4 – JaMychal Green
JaMychal Green would be a good veteran minimum target for the Milwaukee Bucks. He is a 6-foot-8, 227-pound power forward who’s shown he’s still a good defender and rebounder, thanks to his size.
He is also a legitimate stretch four, making a very respectable 37.8 percent of his 3-pointers for the Golden State Warriors in 2022-23. Green would be a good addition to the Bucks’ bench, and he could also start if Giannis Antetokounmpo or Bobby Portis are injured.
Green is 32 years old and has played in the NBA for eight seasons. His long and illustrious career has seen him play for teams like San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors.
JaMychal Green had a solid season with the Golden State Warriors in 2022-23. He averaged 6.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from 3-point range.
Green’s versatility was a major asset for the defending champions. His abilities were pretty varied for his size, as he was able to play both forward positions, defend, rebound, and shoot. His impact allowed the Warriors to spread the floor and create more scoring opportunities for their stars.
Despite his age, Green proved his strengths can still shine at this level. Green is a good defender who can guard multiple positions. He is strong and athletic, and he has good instincts on defense. Green is also a good rebounder, which would help the Bucks control the glass.
Even without much playing time, at the end of the day, he would bring valuable experience to the Milwaukee Bucks, and he could help the team’s younger players develop.
Green is a good value on the veteran minimum. He is a solid player who can contribute to a winning team. The Bucks would be wise to consider signing him if he becomes available.
No. 5 – Meyers Leonard
Competent floor-spacing bigs have been steadily moving towards hot commodity status in the association in recent years. The Bucks already have one such player in Meyers Leonard, who played for the remainder of the season for Milwaukee after he signed a ten-day contract with the team in February.
He was no revelation of any sort, but he proved to be a solid asset for a team lacking frontcourt depth. In his 17 games with the Bucks, Leonard averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He shot 38.9 percent from 3-point range in the minutes he played. Leonard was a key contributor for the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs, averaging 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He shot 40.0 percent from 3-point range.
The Milwaukee Bucks should re-sign Meyers Leonard because he is a good defender and rebounder who can stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. Though he came from a rather controversial point in his career, Meyers has shown he’s willing to move past that. He was a relatively low-usage but solid-impact player in the Milwaukee Bucks’ recent regular season campaign, which were his first NBA games after his controversy at the NBA bubble.
On paper, Leonard could be seen as Brook Lopez lite. They’re both 7-foot tall centers who are both skilled shooters from beyond the arc and are also both effective rebounders and rim protectors. Like Lopez, he is also a decent-to-good passer, which would help the Bucks move the ball more effectively on offense on handoff actions or running scoring actions out of the post. His stout frame should also allow him to set good screens for his teammates on offense.
However, Leonard does have some weaknesses. He is not as athletic as Lopez, and he can be inconsistent on defense. Additionally, he is not as good of a rebounder as Lopez. He’ll likely be signed to play the same drop coverage role that Lopez does, which may not see as much premium under the defensive system of Adrian Griffin.
For what he brings to the court, Leonard is a good value on the veteran minimum. He is a solid player who can contribute to a winning team, and the Bucks would be wise to consider signing him once more if both sides are amenable to the idea. He’s not going to play 20 minutes a game, but he’ll be a big body to deter shots in the paint and pull other bigs out of the restricted area with his floor-spacing ability.
These are just a few of the many veteran minimum targets that the Milwaukee Bucks could consider in free agency. The Bucks will have to be creative in order to add talent to their roster, but they have a good track record of finding value in the veteran minimum market. If they are able to add one or two of these players, it would give them a much better chance of making a deep run in the playoffs next season.
Teams have always leaned on veteran minimum contracts to help fill roster spots with experienced players who can contribute immediately, provide teams with flexibility (as they are not tied to long-term contracts with these players), and be a cost-effective way to improve a team. None of them are going to provide starter-level production, but the Bucks would be foolish to look for those kinds of contributions in the veteran minimum market after their last experience with washed veterans.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis as the offseason chugs on.