Damian Lillard's Achilles injury not only ended his season and sapped the Milwaukee Bucks' playoff hopes, but it will also impact the team well into the 2025-26 campaign. With Lillard likely out for most or all of next season, the Bucks are in dire need of a point guard. There is no realistic player available to replace his shot-making, but free agency does present several options to mitigate the void.
It's early, but let's look at some possible targets.
Economic facilitators
While this category does not include the top talent available, looking here makes the most sense given workable but limited cap space and Lillard's anticipated return in 2026-27.
One possibility: Tre Jones, 25 years old, Chicago Bulls. Acquired from the Spurs via trade, Jones made $9.5 million this season while averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 assists on 53.8 percent shooting between both teams. After starting a majority of games in San Antonio in recent years, Jones started only nine, all with Chicago, in 2024-25.
His reduction in playing time can be at least partly explained by the Spurs' acquisition of veteran Chris Paul in the offseason, inserted into the starting lineup as a veteran floor general to help the growth of Victor Wembanyama. By contrast, in 2023 and 2024, Jones averaged at least 10 points and six assists.
While he would not supply anything close to Lillard's scoring, he is a capable facilitator who would prioritize finding open shooters and create easy opportunities for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Moreover, after his numbers drop off, he will likely be available at a considerable discount; his two-year, $19 million deal followed a career-best 2022-23 season.
By signing him this offseason, the Bucks could get a bargain - and perhaps a point guard of the future, given that, heading into 2026-27, Lillard will be 36 with only one year left on his contract.
Viable alternative: Tyus Jones, 28, Phoenix Suns. Making $3 million on a one-year deal with Phoenix, Tre's older brother enjoyed every day playing time under ex-Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. A solid offensive contributor and the better shooter, he tallied 10.2 points and 5.3 assists and shot 41.4 percent on threes. Turning 29 on May 10, he has enjoyed his three most productive seasons from 2023-25.
Neither of the Jones brothers is a defensive plus. Whereas Tyus is something of a journeyman, however, Tre has more upside if the Bucks are looking for more than just a one-year stopgap.
Sub-radar rogues
One possibility: Davion Mitchell, 26, Miami Heat. Two things complicate Mitchell as a potential signing. First, he is a restricted free agent, meaning that the Heat can match any opposing team's offer; Milwaukee would have to be willing to outbid them. Second, his sneaky-good performance with Miami after being traded from Toronto means that he is likely due a raise. Before this season, the Raptors exercised his club option worth $6.5 million.
After a marginal role in Toronto, Mitchell impressed in 30 games with the Heat, recording 10.3 points, 5.3 assists, and a 44.7 3-point percentage, all while playing stout defense. Miami was swept by Cleveland in the first round, but not because of Mitchell's shortcomings (15 points and 6.3 assists on 61 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from distance).
In contrast to either Jones brother or Lillard himself, his defensive acumen is something the Bucks have missed at point guard since trading Jrue Holiday.
Viable alternative: Dennis Schroder, 31, Detroit Pistons. Having switched teams nine times in six years, Schroder's wardrobe changes have made him something of an NBA meme. His status as such, potentially a turn-off to any but the most desperate contender, is what makes him an "under the radar" candidate. That said, Schroder's $13 million salary this season was a bit higher than the Bucks should be willing to spend on his services; ideally, he would accept a paycheck aligned with his previous contracts (one year, $2.6 million in 2021-22; one year, $5.9 million in 2020-21).
Despite inefficient shooting (40.6 FG percentage), Schroder nonetheless cobbled together another respectable season, his 12th in the league and ninth straight averaging over 12 points and at least four assists (13.1, 5.4). If Milwaukee is looking for a tough, dependable cog, Schroder might be the poster child.
Purse pushers
Barring a substantial pay cut, these options are likely outside the Milwaukee Bucks' price range. If general manager Jon Horst does decide to make a splash, however, the following option should top his list.
One possibility: Malcolm Brogdon, 32, Washington Wizards. Finishing out a two-year, $45 million deal, the former Buck played only 24 games due to injury and organizational tanking. Although durability is a concern, Brogdon has been an excellent scorer, rebounder and passer, and at times a lights-out 3-point shooter during his nine-year career.
Even at this stage, his scoring upside is something other free agents cannot supply. A career 15.3 points per game scorer, he peaked at 21.2 points in 2021 as a Pacer before coming off the bench in Boston and then joining young, developing rosters in Portland and Washington. At a reasonable price, he might be the best Lillard replacement available.
Houston's Fred VanVleet, 31, is also available, but he is not a viable option at anywhere near his present cost. Massively overpaid, VanVleet has a $44.9 million club option that Houston will presumably not pick up. While his high volume production over the last six seasons is tempting (career-high 8.1 dimes in 2023-24), he merits mention only because he is the biggest name on the market, not because Milwaukee should entertain pursuing him.
Whichever approach the Milwaukee Bucks take at point guard, in the absence of a splashy trade, they will need to make several savvy moves to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with talent and compensate for the loss of Lillard.