1 Realistic free agent target the Milwaukee Bucks should pursue from each team
By Dalton Sell
Los Angeles Lakers - Jaxson Hayes
The Bucks need youth, athleticism and some depth at the center position. Why not knock out three birds with one stone by going after Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers? If Hayes declines an upcoming player option worth $2.3 million, Milwaukee would make plenty of sense as a new home for the big man.
Hayes would give the team an athletic 7-footer who can make highlight plays with dunks or blocks. He'd offer a much different style of play compared to Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, getting out in transition and catching lobs right at the hoop. Having a spry young big man like that could offer this team something fresh to utilize, which could do them good.
The big concern with Hayes fit-wise is his inability to shoot the long ball. He has just one season of shooting 30 or more 3-pointers in his five-year career, which could make him a bit of an odd fit in lineups alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. That is valid, but perhaps this team could have him try to follow the Brook Lopez path and shoot more and more upon his arrival in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee needs to add center depth this off-season in some capacity, so pursuing Hayes wouldn't be out of left field, especially if they trade away their draft picks and are unable to draft one. If they could get him on a minimum, it'd be a solid move to bulk up their frontcourt depth and add a few key attributes this roster needs.