The Milwaukee Bucks have been relatively quiet lately, but fans across the league continue to speculate that the front office looking to make a big trade in the coming days.
As it currently stands, the Bucks have one last roster spot still freed up and only a veteran minimum deal to use to fill it up. Given the roster needs as constructed at the moment, the team could still very much use a backup point guard and a veteran two-guard, but it’s entirely possible they see a different need at the other spots.
Fortunately for the team, the remaining free agents up and down the board include a number of former Milwaukee Bucks, whether in recent memory or many years ago. The Bucks have always had one of the stronger and more close-knit locker rooms across the association, and a possible return for any former Buck can only mean good things for the team’s fit and chemistry. And on the part of free agents, past experience with a prospective team should mean better chances of jumping back into another run with the team.
Here are a few former Milwaukee Bucks who could potentially come back for another run with the franchise.
Former Milwaukee Bucks still unsigned in free agency – Guards
Matthew Dellavedova: Dellavedova is a 30-year-old guard who is best known for his defensive intensity and hustle — just look at all the memes still calling him the league’s Stephen Curry stopper all these years later. Delly is a career 36.8 percent 3-point shooter and averaged just 1.5 points and 1.3 assists per game last season. His on-court production has become incredibly pedestrian through the years, but he’s been a well-loved member of every locker room he’s been part of, including the Milwaukee Bucks.
Through his two years with the Bucks from 2016 to 2018, he posted norms of 6.5 points and 4.4 assists per game, even starting at point guard at one point. That signing didn’t make sense at the time, but perhaps a veteran minimum to play backup to Jrue Holiday this time around could look much better if both sides can agree to a return for the Aussie. He’s not anywhere close to being the same player these days, but you also know exactly what to expect from him.
Michael Carter-Williams: Once upon a time, Michael Carter-Williams looked like a part of the Bucks’ future alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker. The 31-year-old guard and former All-Rookie selection never again reached the highs of his Rookie of the Year season because of his inconsistent shooting and eventual injury issues, but he’s a solid point guard with decent size and defense.
For a point guard, he is a good playmaker and rebounder in limited minutes thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame and is probably best used as an energy guy and defensive specialist at this point in his career. He averaged 4.3 points and 1.8 assists per game last season for the Orlando Magic, and for a backup to Jrue Holiday, you certainly could do a lot worse in this league.
D.J. Augustin: Augustin is a 35-year-old guard who is a career 39.3 percent 3-point shooter. When news of his first signing in Milwaukee was first announced, he was thought of as a bench scorer who could anchor a second unit all on his own and who could light up in a hurry. He’s not quite that guy anymore, but at this point in his career, he is a solid backup point guard who can provide scoring and playmaking with the occasional scoring outburst here and there.
His defense has always been average at best, but he also did just average 9.5 points and 3.9 assists per game last season on 38.1 percent from 3-point range, and he’s certainly the best shooter on this list. Perhaps a return to Milwaukee to right his previously average showing with the team is in order if the two sides are able to come to an agreement.
Goran Dragic: Dragic is a veteran point guard who is a good playmaker and shooter. He averaged 6.3 points and 2.6 assists per game on two teams last season, including the Bucks, though his minutes with the team came sparingly as he was behind Jevon Carter in the rotation. Dragic’s stint with the Bucks was brief, but he was a valuable contributor to the team. He is a seasoned veteran with a wealth of playoff experience, and he was able to provide the Bucks with a steady presence off the bench despite his lack of playing time all throughout.
The thing with Dragic is that we don’t know who he is at this point in his career; he’ll be pushing 38 next season with his best years firmly behind him. He’s still undoubtedly got the touch and the finesse that would be a luxury for a backup point guard, but there’s no denying he’s also starting to rack up injuries. He’s also publicly said he would prefer to end his career with the Miami Heat. The chances that he ends up on the Bucks’ roster by the start of the season are slim to none, but if it happens, it wouldn’t be the worst move in the world.