The Bucks are interested in a familiar target ahead of NBA Free Agency

It’s official; 2023 NBA Free Agency is set to kick off later today, and while the Milwaukee Bucks are not expected to make many major moves, rumors are starting to swirl.

One rumor involves the Bucks reportedly eyeing a target they’ve pursued in the past: Eric Gordon. Per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko (Subscription required), the Bucks are among a handful of teams that have shown interest in Gordon after he was let go by the LA Clippers. The 34-year-old is seeking a clear-cut role with a contender, per Iko.

The Bucks are interested in a familiar target ahead of NBA Free Agency

Gordon is a familiar target for the Bucks, as they chased him last season as well. Last off-season, they were among a laundry list of teams to pursue him via trade, per Iko once again (subscription required). They didn’t get him then, but that did not stop the team from reigniting their interest a few months later, with Marc Stein (subscription required), reporting that they pursued a trade for the shooting guard ahead of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline.

A trade for Gordon was always going to be a tall order for Milwaukee. Not only did the guard have a huge contract, but the Rockets also had an incredibly steep asking price before they sent him to the Clippers. Now, things are different. Gordon is a free agent, and the Bucks could simply outright sign him if they can convince him to come to Milwaukee. They certainly will not have the money at their disposal to blow other offers out of the water, but they can offer a role on a contender, which Iko noted is a major element in Gordon’s decision.

While adding Gordon would not help further Milwaukee’s recent youth movement, it would be a good move. Even if he’s not the player he once was, the 34-year-old is a solid scorer and outside shooter, having averaged 12.9 points while shooting 39 percent from deep over the last two years. The Bucks have suffered from a lack of reliable bench scoring and shooting in recent memory, so a player like Gordon could help mightily. Furthermore, he’s an experienced veteran who has plenty of playoff games under his belt, so he’d fit in with Milwaukee’s core.

The big uncertainty is what kind of financial compensation Gordon will be hunting on the market in free agency. If he’s within Milwaukee’s range – veteran minimum – they should make a run at him.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks rumors and free agency news.