After picking up Delon Wright to kick off 2024 NBA Free Agency, the Milwaukee Bucks continued filling out their roster on Wednesday.
According to The Athletic NBA insider Shams Charania, the Bucks have landed Taurean Prince, who played the 2023-24 NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Prince now joins a frontcourt rotation that needs a player with his skill set.
What will Taurean Prince bring to the Milwaukee Bucks?
First and foremost, Prince is an immediate upgrade over Danilo Gallinari, who signed with Milwaukee via the buyout last season. Like Gallinari, Prince is able to play both forward spots and provide a good amount of versatility; the difference is that Prince should make much more of an impact doing so. The same goes for Jae Crowder, who is also almost certainly on his way out the door.
Standing at 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, Prince is exactly the type of player the Bucks have been seeking for what seems like years now. Prince is not an elite defender, but with his height, length and versatility, he could be a valuable piece on that side of the basketball for Milwaukee.
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that the Bucks want to play a more versatile style of defense next season, and adding Prince can help them do that, especially in a switch-heavy scheme. They are far from the same player, but Prince could play the role that P.J. Tucker did for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 as their small-ball, ever-versatile forward when Giannis Antetokounmpo slides to center.
In addition to his versatility, Prince boasts a strong 3-point shot. He's knocked down 37.6 percent of his career triples, including 39.6 percent this past season. Shooting like that will help keep him on the floor in valuable moments, as he'll have to be respected from deep, and Milwaukee's playmakers will find him for open perimeter looks.
Wright and Prince are two quality free agent pickups for the Milwaukee Bucks, as they are veteran talents who can provide quality defense, 3-point shooting and versatility, all on minimum contracts. Jon Horst and the Bucks are having a solid free agency thus far, and with one more roster spot, they can keep the ball rolling if they so desire.
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