After a busy NBA Trade Deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks opened up a standard roster spot they could use to add even more talent.
Nearly a month later, that spot remains vacant. It makes sense that the Bucks took their time to hold out and see exactly which players may end up on the market before making a final decision, as the NBA Playoff eligibility waiver deadline was March 1. That means any player waived after that date wouldn't be able to play in the postseason for their new team.
Now, that date has passed, and it feels like the Milwaukee Bucks could pounce on their next player at any given moment. Currently, there's been little to no chatter about what the Bucks might aim to add to this roster, but looking across the league, there are at least two players who could be solid fits, and they are far different from one another, giving the team's front office plenty to chat about.
The Bucks could go for youth and build for the future
For months, it seemed like Ryan Rollins would be given a roster spot the second the Milwaukee Bucks freed one up. On a two-way deal, Rollins burst onto the scene early in the year and made a strong first impression by playing tough defense, scoring, shooting and passing. Rollins flexed his toughness by bypassing surgery after injuring his shoulder to play through it.
It's been clear for a long time that the 22-year-old can help this team not just in the present but also in the future. This is a team that has lacked young building blocks for a long time, and Rollins looks like a hidden gem. The Milwaukee Bucks rewarding him with a standard roster spot, one that would not cost much over the next couple of years, could help strengthen their supply of youth.
Given the status of his two-way deal, Rollins had a limited amount of regular season games to play in, and he cannot play in the postseason. Before the deadline, he would have been given a standard deal the second the Bucks could offer it, but the trade for Kevin Porter Jr. has bumped Rollins down a few spots on the depth chart, relegating him to a spectator most nights.
The Bucks could go for battle-tested experience and leadership
As a team looking to win, it makes sense to add as many players with hard-earned experience as they possibly can. One player who hit the market recently was P.J. Tucker, the former Milwaukee Buck who helped the team win it all in 2021. These days, the 39-year-old won't have the same on-court impact as he did back then, but there are other ways he could help.
Not only could Tucker serve as a nice depth piece at small forward - an area the Milwaukee Bucks are incredibly thin at - but he could bring his veteran savvy and vocal leadership to the table. Tucker has always been one to wear his heart on his sleeve, and he's not afraid to get on his teammates if it can help give them a jolt when they are stuck in the mud.
That type of spark in the locker room could be very useful for this Milwaukee Bucks team.
What should the Bucks do?
Of course, these aren't the only two players the Bucks are considering, in all likelihood. Their recent two-way signing of Pete Nance came as a surprise, and so could the filling of this vacant roster spot. However, the Milwaukee Bucks will likely face a similar scenario regarding building for the future or the present no matter who they target to fill their opening.
If it does come down to these two, the spot should go to Rollins. He's got the potential to be a nice combo guard for years to come, especially with a surgically repaired shoulder.
Adding youth into the mix has given the Milwaukee Bucks new life this season, and it could very well be the pathway to success moving forward. Tucker would be a solid pickup, but the reward that would come with signing Ryan Rollins to a low-cost multi-year deal is far greater.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.