The Milwaukee Bucks waited throughout the first three days of NBA Free Agency before picking up a couple of external players on cheap contracts.
Firstly they added Robin Lopez to add some frontcourt depth, which was needed. They then added guard Malik Beasley on a one-year $2.8m contract. A shooting specialist was on the shopping list for the front office, and adding a player with the caliber of Beasley on such a cheap deal is an absolute steal for the Bucks. Per StatMuse, Beasley led the league in 3-pointers off the bench last season, and that form should see him play significant minutes whether it’s from the bench or starting.
With the latest additions out the way, let’s take a look at the updated depth chart for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Milwaukee Bucks updated depth chart following signings of Lopez and Beasley
- Point Guard – Jrue Holiday, Lindell Wigginton (TW)
- Shooting Guard – Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Malik Beasley, Andre Jackson Jr., Omari Moore (TW)
- Small Forward – Khris Middleton, MarJon Beauchamp, Chris Livingston
- Power Forward – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder, Drew Timme
- Center – Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez
Adding Robin Lopez really does bolster the frontcourt rotation. He’s reliable and experienced, which is always a bonus. Both Giannis and Bobby Portis can, of course, play time at the center position, but I expect to see Robin regularly. Yet, it will not be for long stretches in games and more to cover while the other guys rest on the bench. We may see lineups that involve both Robin and Portis alongside each other if Brook and Giannis are on the bench at the same time. Drew Timme, at 6-foot-10, can also slide into the center position, and he is one of the more interesting players on the Bucks roster and what their role can be. This move likely means Meyers Leonard will not be returning.
Bringing in Beasley to the two-guard position does create a bit of a log jam with both Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton there too. All three can slide to the small forward position if needed if Adrian Griffin decides to go with a smaller lineup. Andre Jackson Jr. adds some more defensive steel to the backcourt, and with the Bucks trading to acquire him and Griffin’s Toronto teams being built on elite defenders and long wingspans, we may see him on the court right away. Omari Moore, on the two-way, may not spend much time in the association.
Former two-way player A.J. Green impressed last season, and with the Bucks tendering his two-way qualifying deal, he is now a restricted free agent, showing that the Bucks would like to keep Green, and he was lights out for the team last season. At almost 37, Wesley Matthews may not return to Milwaukee, and if he retires, he leaves the game following a tremendous career.
The point guard position looks slightly thin without Goran Dragic and Jevon Carter, who joined the Chicago Bulls in free agency. Lindell Wigginton has shown promise when he has played, and with this potentially being his third season on a two-way deal with the Bucks they clearly have high hopes for him. Depending on the minutes and what lineups Griffin wants to run, we may see one of the shooting guards or potentially Khris Middleton and Giannis being the dominant ball handler.
Middleton returning is a huge positive for the Bucks, and hopefully, he can remain healthy for the majority of the season. He did have surgery in the offseason, so he may start the season on a minutes restriction and load management. I think all Bucks fans, myself included, have high hopes for MarJon Beauchamp and would like to see more of him this season, whether that is at small forward or potentially shooting guard. The roster is already beginning to look younger, and it is likely that Griffin will be giving these young guys more minutes to showcase their talents. Chris Livingston adds an extra body there if needed but is likely to be developing with the Herd for most of the season.
Finally, the power forward position is looking strong with Giannis and Portis spearheading it, and Jae Crowder returning is a huge bonus for the team. Crowder can play the three alongside Giannis if needed to provide extra defensive help depending on the game situation. There has been no confirmation yet whether fan favorite Thanasis Antetokounmpo will return to the roster, and Joe Ingles joined the Orlando Magic on the first day of free agency.
Milwaukee’s roster currently stands at 14 players on standard deals and the two two-way deals. With both Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Green now free agents, we may not see one of them again in a Bucks jersey, or Genenral Manager Jon Horst might try to trade some pieces around.
Stay tuned to see how the Milwaukee Bucks roster shapes up for the 2023-24 NBA season.