Following moves to bring in Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims and Kevin Porter Jr. at the NBA Trade Deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks have opened up a roster spot.
They are seemingly taking a wait-and-see approach to see which players might hit the market before ultimately deciding who to bring on. For those hoping that the Bucks make a major splash and add a legitimate difference-maker, those odds are slim. Given their financial restrictions, Milwaukee can only add a player who made $12,822,000 or less prior to their buyout. That limits them greatly.
With all of that said, let us now analyze a few possible players who could fill the roster spot.
Ryan Rollins
This seems like the obvious choice. Ryan Rollins, currently on a two-way, has had a breakout year with the Bucks. While his numbers don't jump off the page - 4.8 points and 1.2 assists per contest - he has made a noticeable impact nightly with his high-energetic play. Given the status of his contract, he is not eligible to play in the playoffs and only has a few more regular season games left.
If the Bucks want Rollins to remain rotation-eligible, they have to hand him a standard contract soon. Initially, it felt inevitable that they would, but the addition of Kevin Porter Jr. at the trade deadline has clouded things. Given that they brought in another player at the position, the Milwaukee Bucks may decide to roll with the more proven Porter and fill another roster hole with their vacant spot.
Troy Brown Jr.
If the Milwaukee Bucks want to fill their open roster spot with a player who fills a needed position, they should go after a wing. One player who fits the mold is Troy Brown Jr. The 6-foot-6 25-year-old bounced around the NBA during his first several years, oftentimes showing glimpses of defensive potential and offensive promise before moving to the next landing spot. If the Milwaukee Bucks simply want to add some needed depth at the small forward position behind Taurean Prince, Brown would make some sense.
Oshae Brissett
Checking off a lot of the same boxes as Brown is Oshae Brissett. He's another young (26), lengthy forward (6-foot-7) who has shown promise on both sides of the basketball. The perimeter shooting needs some refining (33.7 percent for his NBA career), but Brissett has the height and length to be a strong candidate at the small forward spot, giving Milwaukee more versatility to mix and match their various lineups, especially if they opt to use Giannis Antetokounmpo at center.
P.J. Tucker
Did someone say versatility? Well, maybe a few years ago. P.J. Tucker certainly isn't the same player right now that he was when he helped the Milwaukee Bucks win it all in 2021. However, even if he still has anything left in the tank at 39 years old, it could be useful. The Bucks, who oftentimes seem to lack intensity, could also use an energizer like Tucker to give them a shot in the arm at times. His familiarity with the franchise could see them pursue a reunion.
Lonnie Walker IV
The Milwaukee Bucks have an array of shooting guards, but if they want to beef up their efforts in the athleticism and speed departments, Lonnie Walker IV could make some sense. The shooting guard is known for his high-flying play, notably in transition, an area Milwaukee has struggled in. He could help spice things up for the Milwaukee Bucks as they aim to combat the age of this roster. From a sheer talent standpoint, the 26-year-old is one of the best names still available.