Predicting where each Milwaukee Bucks’ free agent will play in 2023-24

Jevon Carter – Houston Rockets

This one is a bit tough. Jevon Carter has a player option worth $2.2 million for next season, which he seems destined to decline. After having the best year of his career, the guard can surely get an ideal raise on the open market. One team that needs help at point guard and could offer him a nice raise and increased role is the Houston Rockets.

Houston is rumored to have James Harden high on their wishlist this offseason as they look for a new lead guard. After hiring Ime Udoka, they clearly want to leap back into contention next year by adding win-now pieces. Carter is not a bonafide star, but he’s an excellent role player who could be a breakout candidate in a larger role. He’d bring hard-nosed defense and veteran leadership to an extremely young Rockets team.

While the Bucks hold Carter’s Bird rights and can offer him a quality extension, one has to consider how the guard may feel following his second consecutive postseason with a reduced role. After his strong 2022-23 campaign, Carter may want to land with a team where he has a well-defined role. Again, the departure of Budenholzer could make Carter more willing to return, but that’s nothing more than speculation. If Carter leaves the Bucks, the Rockets make sense due to fit and money.