The hottest NBA free agent on the board is not what the Milwaukee Bucks need

The Milwaukee Bucks have been sitting on the edge of potential and frustration this season, boasting a roster that could make a deep playoff push on one hand but is very clearly missing certain pieces to complete the puzzle on the other. The reality right now is that their offseason acquisitions have yet to show any consistency on both ends of the floor.

In response, they've been looking deep into their bench in an effort to infuse youthful energy and length into their rotation—essential components when facing the league's more youthful squads who thrive on fast breaks and uptempo attacks.

With rumors that the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to relocate MarJon Beauchamp and free up a roster spot, fans have been scouting for potential players who can help.

One name the rumor mill has been buzzing is Lonnie Walker IV, who has been one of the hottest free agents available for some time now after he emerged as a key contributor for the Brooklyn Nets last season. He put up 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 38.4 percent shooting from deep that season, and truthfully, his scoring bursts, electric energy and fearless drives do make him a tempting addition for any team looking to add a scoring punch off the bench.

Yet, this prospect begs the question of whether he is really what the Milwaukee Bucks need right now.

Lonnie Walker IV brings athleticism, but he fails to address other flaws

Look, there's no doubt that Walker would bring a lot of excitement to Milwaukee, given the team's situation as it currently stands. He’s quick, explosive and capable of creating his own shot off the dribble. The Milwaukee Bucks, who don't exactly have the most incendiary offensive attack at the moment, could certainly use that extra spark off the bench.

Much has been said about Milwaukee's need for youth and athleticism, both of which would certainly bump up the team's pace and overall efficiency in a league dominated by wings that dominate on the fastbreak. But past that, one thing that's been a bit of a tertiary need is size and defensive versatility.

Milwaukee’s most glaring issue this season just hasn’t been a lack of offensive firepower, even if it is certainly one of them. With Giannis Antetokounmpo bulldozing through defenses and Damian Lillard dropping logo threes, points have rarely been a problem.

No, the problem lies behind their starters—particularly in their frontcourt, which sports one of Brook Lopez or Bobby Portis at almost all times. The rim protection and floor spacing are what they are, but the fact of the matter is this center rotation is nearly bereft of athleticism and defensive versatility.

The current roster makeup leaves Lopez and Portis shouldering too much defensive responsibility. Lopez, despite the defensive renaissance he's been experiencing thus far this season, can only do so much on legs that have seen over a decade of NBA mileage. Portis, while a fan favorite with a bruising style, doesn’t quite have the lateral quickness or the rim-protecting prowess needed to shore up minutes against fast, switch-heavy lineups.

While the Milwaukee Bucks don't necessarily need another big man to replace the two, the hope is that whichever wing they get can have the size to play help defense as the power forward from time to time, too.

This isn't to say that Lonnie is a bad defender, of course. According to PBP Stats, the Brooklyn Nets held opponents to 114.3 points per 100 possessions when Walker played versus 117.3 when he sat a season ago. He has the potential to make an impact on that end.

Lonnie Walker IV would also complicate Milwaukee's youth movement

Adding Lonnie Walker IV might bring immediate returns in scoring and athleticism, but his presence could pose risks, particularly to the development of young talents like Andre Jackson Jr. and AJ Green, who have been blossoming as of late.

Jackson Jr., in particular, has shown flashes of what he could become as a defensive disruptor who adds energy that doesn’t appear on the stat sheet. So far, he’s averaging modest numbers, but his on-ball pressure and hustle play signal a potential role that the team has been missing so far. Taking minutes from him for an established scorer like Walker could stifle that growth.

Instead of going after another wing scorer, the Bucks should consider targeting an athletic big man to be that mobile, shot-blocking presence off the bench.

In place of Portis or Lopez, think of what that kind of player could do for a Milwaukee team that’s been exploited by smaller, quicker lineups. A rangy center or power forward who can switch onto guards, close out shooters, and still defend the paint would do wonders for Milwaukee’s rotation, allowing Lopez and Portis to stay fresher and more effective down the stretch.

Lonnie Walker IV could light up Fiserv Forum with highlight-reel plays and scoring bursts that momentarily mask the team’s deeper issues. But unless the Milwaukee Bucks solve their depth problem in the frontcourt, they’ll find themselves in the same predicament when the playoffs roll around: exhausted starters and a bench that can’t keep up.

As Milwaukee aims to turn its season around and claw back from their underwhelming start, the front office needs to prioritize fit over flash. The Bucks don’t need just any addition—they need the right one. And right now, that means resisting the urge to chase the hottest name and instead bolstering what’s been their Achilles’ heel.

A few players waiting for their next opportunity who may make some sense are Darius Bazley, Keita Bates-Diop, Troy Brown Jr. and Bismack Biyombo. They might not be as flashy as Walker, but they all play a position that needs some tweaks on this Milwaukee Bucks roster.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.