The Milwaukee Bucks should be busy this NBA off-season.
With the draft and free agency coming up, the Behind the Buck Pass crew has come together to talk about targets the team can pursue to improve. That said, let us get everyone's thoughts. Usernames for X, formerly known as Twitter, are included.
1. What's one reason you have confidence in the Milwaukee Bucks' this off-season?
Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton): The Bucks know they will have Damian Lillard this off-season. Last year, he was brought in at the last minute, which threw everything off, as that roster was more well-fitted for a defensive-minded guard like Jrue Holiday. The roster just didn't fit. This year, they know Lillard will be the floor general, and they can act accordingly. That will unquestionably help Jon Horst.
Will Moxon (@moxon_will): With the Bucks now having a full off-season with Damian Lillard now on the team and the key components more settled, it is the supporting cast that needs tweaking slightly so the changes aren't as drastic as last off-season. GM Jon Horst has now shown multiple times that he is willing to make moves in order to build a championship-winning roster, and I think he is not shy to do the same again. Having two draft picks also gives the Bucks the chance to make the roster younger and more athletic, two things they lacked hugely this season, as well as potentially moving them should a player become available to trade for.
Nathan Marzion (@nathanmarzion): The Bucks now finally have time and a few more assets to fully build around Giannis and Damian Lillard. Jon Horst has consistently been aggressive in trying to improve the roster throughout his tenure as GM, so I am confident they will make the necessary moves to get better.
Tyler Schickert (@tschicket13): I have confidence in tweaking the roster because Jon Horst has consistently done a great job upgrading the team. Say what you will about Jrue Holiday being traded, but the fact that the Milwaukee Bucks were able to swoop in and steal Damian Lillard still doesn't feel real. I'm very interested to see what Horst cooks up this summer.
Rudy LB (@authorrudylb): As someone who plays basketball in their mid-40s, I can tell you one simple truth: playing against someone who is fast and athletic in their early 20s really gives me no chance. The Bucks need some raw, young talent. That is why I have confidence in what the Bucks will do this off-season. The old guys (Horst and Rivers) will be able to grab a few good young guys to fill out the back of the team’s starting line-up and bench. I have a lot of confidence in the Bucks off-season because I have confidence in GM Jon Horst and coach Doc Rivers. This is a team that will be in the mix next year. They might not win it all, but they have to be able to be better than first-round playoff exit. I also think the mission is a little simpler this off-season: get younger and get faster.
Lucas Valind (@RealLucaso345): The Bucks should have an easier time this off-season by eliminating all distractions from a year ago. Last year, even before the blockbuster acquisition of Damian Lillard, the team was in a transition period, moving on from Mike Budenholzer to new head coach Adrian Griffin. As we saw last season, the Bucks lacked a true identity. This off-season, they can discuss what they want their identity to be with Doc Rivers. Making moves around the team Milwaukee aspires to be, in addition to knowing Lillard will be the team’s starting point guard, should help the 2024 off-season be much more successful than the one we saw in 2023.
Aitor Darias (@Aitor_Darias): At this point, the roster's issues are pretty glaring. Last year, after everything fell off against Miami, it was hard to tell why the postseason had turned out so badly, and the Lillard trade was a shocking move that came too late to make him fit. Now, the Bucks can tweak the roster with his presence in mind and address what the team is lacking, which can be made by adding a few rotation players.
2. Who do you like for the Milwaukee Bucks with the 23rd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Sell: This writer has not been shy about his affinity for Ryan Dunn. Sure, there are concerns about his production offensively, but his defensive excellence outweighs that. He's an absolute menace on that side of the court, able to guard countless positions. He's the best defender in this draft in the eyes of many, and rightfully so. I wouldn't hesitate to take Kel'el Ware if he's still on the board, though. With the future of Brook Lopez up in the air, Ware would be a fitting succession plan if he's available.
Moxon: Kyle Filipowski is someone this writer is a huge fan of due to his ability to stretch the floor and defensive mobility. As a short-term option, he could come in and play the backup center or even at the four spot. He also could be a long-term heir to take the starting center position from Brook Lopez, now 36 years old. Filipowski has more defensive switchability than Lopez but with a similar offensive skill set.
Marzion: My favorite prospect at 23 is probably DaRon Holmes II out of Dayton. He's an athletic big who has some floor spacing ability and could probably contribute a little off the bench right away next season. Then, once Brook Lopez is gone, whenever that is, he could take over as the center of the future for the Bucks.
Schickert: There are several players I like for the Bucks with the 23rd pick. Not all of these players will make it to 23, but Kel'el Ware would be my favorite. Kyle Filipowski and DaRon Holmes II would also be options to draft a big man at 23. Tyler Kolek would be a great backup to Damian Lillard, and Kyshawn George would be a very intriguing potential 3-and-D player.
LB: For pick 23, I love Dillion Jones. (But lately, I’ve seen him mocked as low as 44.) I just think he could be a spark plug this team desperately needs. He just plays hard and fast. I really think this team needs a young guy like this. Think about basketball at the Y- the old guys all sit around and critique and mold the young guys (Giannis/Dame/Khris), razzing Jones and McCullar. Here is the ultimate thing about this year’s draft: everyone is so down on the talent pool, but eventually, someone is going to have to play. I think Dillion Jones could be a gamer for this team for a long time.
Valind: I would like the Bucks to take Marquette’s Tyler Kolek with the 23rd pick. If the Bucks intend to build a team surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kolek seems like a great player to play alongside him. His playmaking ability would be great to pair with Antetokounmpo, primarily in screen actions. He also was a great shooter for the Golden Eagles last season, and you can never have too many shooters around a player like Antetokounmpo. Additionally, attending college in Milwaukee and playing in the same arena as the Bucks makes Kolek familiar with the city.
Darias: The Bucks are in a ‘win now’ situation, so they should go for a high floor player rather for a high ceiling one. That’s why Kevin McCullar fits pretty nicely. As a 23 yeard-old, he’s developed some vision and intelligence that could make him work as a sort of glue guy, which could help him become a strong member of the second unit.
3. Who do you like for the Milwaukee Bucks with the 33rd pick in the 2024 NBA Draft?
Sell: If he's still on the board, Jaylon Tyson should be the pick. He'd be another lengthy wing who can provide defense, but he'd also bring a needed shot-creator to this bench brigade. The 6-foot-7 guard can put points on the board from all over the floor, which would be useful, especially if they are also able to snag Ryan Dunn in the first round.
Moxon: Should Jaylon Tyson be available, that is who this writer would take. If not, then Harrison Ingram is someone that can fit with the Bucks right now with his shooting ability but also defensive versatility. Jae Crowder is a free agent, and if the Bucks look to fill the wing spot, Ingram can do that. With three college seasons under his belt, he could help the Bucks now.
Marzion: There are more guys I like that are going in the second round than the late first round actually. My favorite is Pelle Larsson from Arizona. He can do seemingly everything and seems destined to be a good role player for a contender. Reminds me of Donte DiVincenzo or Christian Braun.
Schickert: At 33, there are several players I like as well; Ryan Dunn might be the best defender in the draft, and Terrence Shannon Jr. is likely to go between 23 and 33, but if he makes it to 33, he'd be a great pick. He's an absolute bucket. Otherwise, I like the idea of drafting Tyler Smith, who has received comparisons to former Milwaukee Buck Charlie Villanueva. Smith would be a great pick if Bobby Portis were to be traded.
LB: For pick 33, I love Kevin McCullar Jr. out of Kansas. I think you pair him with Jones and you could have some electric play and scoring from two young guys who are ready to play. Again, this draft is also going to be all about player development. To be able to hit on one of these two guys (think Malcolm Brogdon) this team could have a brighter future.
Valind: With the 33rd pick, the Bucks should consider Kevin McCullar Jr. from Kansas. McCullar is a great defender who could guard multiple positions. If he gets a significant amount of playing time, he needs some development on the offensive end, but his defensive ability makes it worth that risk for Milwaukee. With the possible departure of Jae Crowder to free agency this off-season, McCullar has the potential to be a replacement for that role.
Darias: The lack of on-ball creation is probably the biggest issue for the Bucks’ bench, and Antonio Reeves looks like a player who could fill that gap. He won’t likely be ready to be impactful every night, but has the potential to be really helpful when the star players need to catch a break and can help the team developing a less predictable offense.
4. If the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to make a trade, who is one player you have your eye on?
Sell: Alex Caruso would have been the choice here, but he's now off the board, having been traded to the OKC Thunder. As a realistic pivot, the Milwaukee Bucks should call the Pistons and check in on Quentin Grimes. He's shown glimpses of strong play defensively, can shoot the long ball well and is on an affordable contract.
Moxon: All season, the Bucks struggled with their defensive backcourt, so looking to acquire Matisse Thybulle would be a huge trade for the Bucks. Now 27 and on the Portland Trail Blazers, he has a similar contract to that of Alex Caruso, but the asking price will not be as high. Thybulle has improved his shooting massively and alongside Lillard, he could take the defensive assignments against some of the stronger Eastern Conference guards the Bucks struggled to slow down this season.
Marzion: I don't really have one specific guy I love. I do think Tari Eason would be a dream addition if they could somehow get him, but I don't know how likely it is. Other names are Ayo Dosunmu, Quentin Grimes, Moses Moody and Jae'Sean Tate.
Schickert: Before the reports that the Grizzlies are not interested in trading him, my ideal trade target was Marcus Smart. The headlines would write themselves that the Bucks could get their missing piece with a former Celtic like the Celtics got their missing piece with a former Buck. Pivoting from that now, my next ideal trade target might be someone like Walker Kessler, whom some rival executives believe is available from the Utah Jazz. It's not clear what it would take to get Kessler - say MarJon Beauchamp and a draft pick - but Kessler would help the Bucks get significantly younger at the center position, add some rebounding and stay stout defensively.
LB: If the Bucks can trade Brook Lopez to Houston for a Fred VanVleet and some picks, I just think that would make a HUGE impact. Start Bobby at center. Add a Chimezie Metu and I think this team could be “fast and fun."
Valind: I would say Bruce Brown, but his salary is huge, and Milwaukee could only get him in exchange for Brook Lopez. Instead, Quentin Grimes is the player the Bucks should target the most. His salary is cheap, as he will only make about $4 million next season. Grimes would be a great backcourt partner for Damian Lillard, with the ability to take some of the tough matchups, allowing Lillard to focus on being the electric player he is on offense.
Darias: Bruce Brown is a player the Bucks are forced to ask about. He might be out of reach, but Toronto is in a weird spot right now and you can’t really tell which direction they’re taking next year, so maybe some unexpected trade can happen there. If not, Quentin Grimes looks like a player who could fit on the 3-and-D role.
5. Who is a realistic free agent or two you have your eyes on?
Sell: Realistically, Naji Marshall and Lamar Stevens are two players who could be cheap options to help Milwaukee's need for defense, youth and wing depth. The Bucks won't have ample money to spend, so they need to strike gold on an under the radar name. Either of these two could very well do just that for them.
Moxon: The free agent this writer likes is Derrick Jones Jr. having shown his value to the Dallas Mavericks. His performances however are likely to make him more difficult to acquire as his asking price will have skyrocketed following their trip to the Finals. On the cheaper end Lonnie Walker IV and Josh Okogie would be nice pickups to provide some backcourt defense and a solid ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
Marzion: Naji Marshall would be awesome with his length and defense. I also have always wanted Kris Dunn as a backup guard.
Schickert: Realistic free agents are an interesting group of players. I wrote earlier this month about several sleepers the Bucks could consider, and the three I am interested in are Mo Bamba for his ability to space the floor with the 3-ball on offense and block shots, Lonnie Walker IV as the replacement for Malik Beasley and Dario Saric, who would be the perfect backup power forward if the Bucks were to trade Bobby Portis.
LB: De’Anthony Melton and Kris Dunn could be two fun, somewhat inexpensive adds for this team in free agency.
Valind: If the Bucks could get him for a reasonable price, Alec Burks would be an excellent free agent acquisition. Josh Okogie is another player I wish for at a low cost. Both players will provide the defensive help the team desperately needs to add this off-season. Either player could be considered an off-season steal if they land in Milwaukee.
Darias: Kris Dunn is a player that would fit perfectly in the Bucks’ backcourt. The Utah Jazz kind of threw their season away at one point, but until then he was bringing the kind of energy and defense that the team desperately needs. Is he getting payed more elsewhere? Maybe, but he’s not likely to get a big contract so it has to be explored. He might be seduced by the idea of playing in a strong contender.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.