Ranking the Milwaukee Bucks' offseason retoolings post-championship
By Dalton Sell
No. 3 - 2022 offseason
After falling short against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks opted not to shake things up too drastically. The plan was to run it back with a few smaller modifications around the roster's edges, and the result has been a mixed bag to this point.
The good: Re-signing Bobby Portis, signing AJ Green to a two-way contract, re-signing Jevon Carter, re-signing Wesley Matthews
With Portis once again testing free agency, the Bucks locked him up long-term by handing him a deal worth over $48 million to reward him for his series of team-friendly deals. Locking him in was crucial. Milwaukee also retained two solid defenders in Mathews and Carter, who both carved out roles for themselves after coming aboard mid-season in 2021-22 and would be needed the following year.
Snagging AJ Green out of the undrafted pool post-draft looks like a win for the Milwaukee Bucks. Green, who is about to enter his third season, showed last year that he could help this team with his sweet shooting and defense, and if he can indeed leap into the rotation, he'd be an incredible hidden gem find for this franchise on a cheap contract.
The bad/mixed: Drafting MarJon Beauchamp, re-signing Serge Ibaka, signing Joe Ingles, re-signing Jordan Nwora
Unlike the last section, there are no flat-out egregious moves here. None of them worked out - that could still change with one - but they didn't flat-out derail the team.
The Milwaukee Bucks needed to nail their 2023 first-round draft pick. On paper, they got what they needed an an athletic defensive wing, but Beauchamp hasn't worked out so far. Throughout his first three years, the wing has not earned a steady role and faces a make-or-break season in 2024-25 as he aims to prove he belongs not just on this team but in the NBA.
Internally, keeping Serge Ibaka and Jordan Nwora on cheap deals was understandable. The Bucks needed depth at the center spot, and they kept the player they traded for months earlier. Nwora was supposed to play a big role for Bucks that season. However, neither player stood out, and both were moved at the trade deadline to make room for Jae Crowder.
Outside of Portis, Milwaukee's big free agent splash was adding Joe Ingles who, despite coming off an ACL injury, earned a one-year deal worth $6.5 million. Ingles' sweet passing and shooting helped in spurts, but his lack of mobility and athleticism at his age post-injury ultimately prevented him from making as great of an impact as Milwaukee had hoped before he left in free agency.