4 NBA free agents whose careers the Milwaukee Bucks can revive
By Franco Luna
Free agents whose careers the Milwaukee Bucks can revive: No. 1 – Kendrick Nunn
It’s tough to pinpoint where Kendrick Nunn’s market value actually stands post-injury. He did just sit out the entirety of the 2021-22 season and played a minimal role this past season, but he’s still a steady guard and a three-level scorer who can light it up if given the shot attempts to do so. Therein lies the intersection of needs: the Bucks need a competent point guard to anchor their tertiary unit, and Nunn needs a place to call home.
We don’t know who this latest iteration of Nunn is, but we know who he can be. He has had two solid seasons in the NBA, averaging 14.6 points and 2.6 assists per game in 2020-21 — one of which came with 44 games of taking up starting point guard duties. As we know, he went to the NBA Finals that year and even took part in the dismantling of the Bucks en route.
For a point guard, Nunn’s skillset is just well-suited for the modern NBA. He is a combo guard who can score from both inside and outside. He is also a good passer and rebounder for his size while also being a relatively competent defender for his size. He is quick and athletic, and he can guard multiple positions.
Nunn has been inconsistent at times in his career. He has had some great games, but he has also had some games where he has been invisible. This is because he can be a streaky shooter. He can make a lot of shots in a row, but he can also go cold for long stretches — which makes the backup point guard position perfect for him as he looks to contend for a championship with the Bucks.
Naturally, there are some risks associated with signing Nunn. He is coming off a major injury, and the Bucks just can’t afford to take that kind of risk with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s athletic peak waning and free agency decisions looming. But if Nunn can stay healthy, it’s not hard to imagine any team can squeeze some good value out of him on a team-friendly deal — one he’d be more than willing to take to find his next stop in the association.