With Damian Lillard's status for the 2025-26 NBA season up in the air as he battles back from a torn Achilles tendon and the Milwaukee Bucks not having a single other point guard on the payroll, there could be an opening for players this offseason. Any available floor generals seeking an opportunity to show what they are made of should have Milwaukee circled this coming summer.
Bucks could go in plenty of directions at point guard
First and foremost, the Milwaukee Bucks will have to sort out what they will do with their pair of point guards from last season. Ryan Rollins will be a restricted free agent, while Kevin Porter Jr. has a player option to ponder. Given their familiarity, age and styles of play, retaining both would make sense for a Milwaukee Bucks team that needs ball-handlers. It will ultimately come down to cost.
If the Milwaukee Bucks turn to the free agent market, there will be a handful of recognizable veterans they could potentially reel in. Malcolm Brogdon, Dennis Schroder, D'Angelo Russell and Tyus Jones would all be reasonable acquisitions under team-friendly deal circumstances, giving this team an experienced ball-handler who can at least somewhat help fill the void in Lillard's absence.
It would make sense for any interested free agent point guard to secure a "prove it deal" to showcase what they have and try to earn big next summer. If Giannis Antetokounmpo remains in town, the point guard spot will have even more desirability. Possibly starting alongside one of the NBA's best players, benefiting from his presence and gravity, can certainly get a player paid these days.
Just like with Delon Wright last offseason, that form of low-cost contract is incredibly low risk to the organization because if things don't pan out, they can just move on from the signee ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline without too much hassle. On the flipside, if that low-cost deal pans out, the Bucks get a nice contributor while that player sets themselves up for a big payday (like Gary Trent Jr. soon).
Other avenues include pursuing help via the draft, where the Milwaukee Bucks hold the 47th pick, or the trade market, which will likely have a handful of compelling names available.
No matter how they go about it, the Milwaukee Bucks need help at point guard, and players should be eager to join the team, especially if they have a chance to suit up next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and possibly Damian Lillard later on in the year, as the team looks to fill out its near-empty roster. For now, the point guard rotation is vacant, and plenty of players may be eyeing an opportunity.
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