After staying quiet throughout the first day of 2024 NBA Free Agency, the Milwaukee Bucks have made their first move.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks have added Delon Wright on a one-year deal worth $3.3 million. Wright joins a Milwaukee backcourt that desperately needed a player with his particular skill set on both sides of the basketball court.
What will Delon Wright bring to the Milwaukee Bucks?
The Bucks needed more perimeter defenders, and they just added a strong one in Wright. Two of the guard's most desirable attributes are his height and versatility. He's a 6-foot-5 player who's capable of playing both point and two guard, allowing him to lead the second unit as the primary ball-handler or play off the ball next to Damian Lillard.
Over the years, the Bucks have primarily relied on smaller backup guards, such as Cameron Payne, George Hill, Jevon Carter and even Patrick Beverley, who were all around 6-foot-3 and targeted at times by larger players. Wright boasts the size and length to make that less of an issue.
With his size and length, Wright can defend both guards and forwards on the perimeter, making him a quality piece in switching situations, something this Milwaukee team needs. In those lineups next to Lillard, Wright could take on the tough defensive assignment, alleviating pressure off of Lillard and allowing him to focus more on his offensive output, something that didn't happen much in 2023-24.
Having just turned 32, Wright isn't the youngest player, but he's still got plenty of fuel left in the tank as a perimeter defender and outside shooter. One a one-year deal, this is low-risk and has all of the makings to be an excellent addition to the Milwaukee Bucks roster.
With Wright signed, one must wonder what happens to Patrick Beverley next. Many would welcome the guard back to Milwaukee for another go-round, but with the guard hinting on his podcast that he would like a bump in pay this off-season, the Bucks very well may have pivoted to Wright. Only time will tell what Jon Horst and the Milwaukee Bucks have in store, but this is a welcoming start.
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