Amir Coffey had a career year for the LA Clippers last season, establishing himself as a prototypical 3-and-D wing by converting outside shots at a 40.9 percent clip. Yet, with the Milwaukee Bucks, his offensive game is nowhere to be found, and his 3-point volume in particular.
It's not just that the shots aren't falling, it's that Coffey simply isn't shooting. That's a significant problem if he's going to play any meaningful minutes or even be the backend rotation piece the Bucks had hoped for.
Is this the same Amir Coffey? Not really
In 10 games this season, covering 104 minutes, Coffey attempted just 13 shots. He has taken six 3-pointers, making one. In a loss to Houston, he did not put it up once. Knocking down outside shots was a key part of his role in Los Angeles, but with the Bucks, he is passing up what limited chances have come his way. He is averaging just 1.6 points per game and has been held scoreless six times.
Compare that to a snapshot of his numbers as a Clipper in 2024-25: 9.7 points in 24 minutes per night, shooting 47 percent from the field. Coffey took three catch-and-shoot 3-pointers per game.
There has been none of that in Milwaukee, even in a system that emphasizes 3-point volume and funneling spot up chances to shooters. It's hard to make sense of Coffey's vanishing act. A transition period after coming over from Los Angeles, his home of six years, could be expected. This is more like falling off a cliff.
Maybe the Bucks shouldn't be surprised. The fact that Coffey was still available in free agency by mid-August could have been a red flag. His lack of a market seemed odd on the heels of a career-best season. Was there something the Milwaukee Bucks didn't know about?
If there was, Coffey smoothed over any concerns by impressing in training camp and the preseason. Doc Rivers gushed over his intangibles and basketball IQ. Even those traits haven't shown up much in action. Coffey appears intangible at times, as if you could put out your hand and it would go right through him. He seems a little lost.
His lack of material contributions has been especially glaring over the past two games, with Taurean Prince out nursing a neck strain. In theory, Coffey should be a seamless substitute. Whatever Prince's limitations, he is at least sniping as usual. Coffey hasn't been that, though, and the problem is that he hasn't been much of anything.
The Bucks cut Chris Livingston and Tyler Smith on guaranteed deals to make room for Coffey, a six-year veteran, on the roster. Right now, he isn't giving them a whole lot more than the two youngsters would. To prove the Bucks right on their preseason decision, Coffey will have to remember the version of himself he seemingly left behind in Los Angeles.