Free agents whose careers the Milwaukee Bucks can revive: No. 3 – Justise Winslow
Justise Winslow isn’t in the best place in his professional basketball career at the moment, to be quite candid about it. He’s set to be an unrestricted free agent after his 2022-23 season was cut short due to yet another injury, this time to his ankle.
He played in just 29 games for the Portland Trail Blazers, though he averaged 6.8 points, five rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He shot 40.9 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from 3-point range. These numbers are by no means efficient, but they do mean there’s still decent production there that he’s capable of dishing out in controlled spurts.
Winslow is a versatile player who can defend, rebound, pass, and create his own shot. He is 6-foot-6 and could provide depth at the wing position for the Bucks. However, his injury history is a concern. If the Milwaukee Bucks do sign him, it would be a prove-it deal.
The Bucks are in need of a player like Winslow, who stands at 6-foot-6 and is also a bit of a hybrid defender. Winslow could provide depth at the wing position and even take on tertiary playmaking duties to help carry some of the offensive burden on Milwaukee’s big three. That makes him also another option to replace the playmaking chops of Joe Ingles.
However, Winslow’s injury problems have been a major issue throughout his career. He has missed significant time in each of the past three seasons, and teams may not be keen on giving him another contract to take on a bigger role. But it’s worth pointing out that the Bucks already took a chance on an injured competitor once in Joe Ingles, and that signing paid off quite well, all things considered.
It remains to be seen if Winslow can stay healthy and reach the potential he was drafted for with the 10th pick back in 2015. Playing with a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo could finally be the one final push he needs to find a place in this league.