Entering last season, two Milwaukee Bucks who were primed to earn raises in 2023 Free Agency if they performed well were Joe Ingles and Jevon Carter.
Indeed, after both playing on “prove it deals” in 2022-23, they both received new deals that were far greater in value. Ingles inked a two-year deal worth $22 million with the Orlando Magic, while Jevon Carter signed a three-year deal worth $20 million with the Chicago Bulls. Those were two raise candidates last year, but which players from the Bucks’ 2024 free agent class have a chance to earn some legitimate money next season in the same breath? Let’s dive in.
3 Milwaukee Bucks who could earn a raise in 2024 NBA Free Agency: Jae Crowder
Last season was a turbulent one for Jae Crowder. After sitting out for the first few months of the season due to several reasons, Crowder landed with the Bucks. He looked expectedly rusty, and it didn’t help that he also dealt with a calf injury. The forward was a non-factor in the NBA Playoffs, which defeated the entire purpose of why they traded for him. All of these put together factored into Crowder re-signing with the Bucks on a one-year deal worth the minimum.
First and foremost, Crowder is not a minimum player. He’s undeniably worth more than that on the market, but his poor showing last season likely left him with very few options. This year will be all about proving he can still be that tough, defensive-minded forward the Bucks envisioned when they traded for him. If Crowder can become that versatile defensive piece the Bucks need as they aim to get back to the promised land, a raise could undeniably be in his future.
3 Milwaukee Bucks who could earn a raise in 2024 NBA Free Agency: Grayson Allen
This one is a bit tricky here, as Grayson Allen’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks is very unclear. Whenever the Bucks are linked to a player via trade, Allen’s name is oftentimes the one that is brought up the most frequently in talks. If Allen were to get traded sometime within the next year, it would be a bit hard for him to earn a raise as a Milwaukee Buck. However, if he ends up staying, he could certainly be a worthy addition to this list.
On paper, Allen has been a nice player for the Bucks over the past two seasons. The two guard has played the best basketball of his young career, having averaged 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 40.4 percent from three. Yet, the on-paper numbers do not detail the entire story. Allen has had some late-season struggles with the Bucks, especially in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. He’s been ok in the big picture, but there’s a reason they’ve looked to move him.
Allen, who is set to play on an expiring $8.5 million deal this season, will be under a microscope in his third season with the Bucks. Many fans want to see him gone, as they believe he cannot help this team at the highest level. The guard, who is likely to start if he is still around on opening night of the season, has a chance to prove his doubters wrong if he can break through and be the ideal complementary piece alongside Milwaukee’s Big 4. He’s under a significant amount of pressure.
3 Milwaukee Bucks who could earn a raise in 2024 NBA Free Agency: Malik Beasley
Out of everyone here, Malik Beasley has the most potential to earn a raise. Though the guard was coming off a lackluster playoff run with the Los Angeles Lakers, it was certainly still a shock when he inked a one-year deal worth the minimum with the Milwaukee Bucks. The 26-year-old will be on the ultimate prove-it deal, and he could undoubtedly earn a major raise if he plays well enough. He may very well be one of the best “bang for your buck” signings of the entire NBA off-season.
Beasley can help this team whenever he steps on the court due to his excellent marksmanship on 3-point shots. The guard led the entire league in triples made off of the bench this past season, as he’s certainly not afraid to let it fly. Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and others on the roster, Beasley will be tasked with spacing the floor and being a reliable perimeter threat at all times. He could potentially be the reserve sparkplug offensively this team has lacked.
Outside shooting is key in today’s NBA, so it’s incredible that the Bucks were able to add the most productive bench marksman on such a cheap deal. He’ll undeniably cash out next off-season if he plays well enough in a Milwaukee Bucks jersey.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and breakdowns this NBA off-season.