As evidenced by their offseason moves, the Milwaukee Bucks clearly want to push the pace as much as they can next season. To do so, it makes sense to have as many quick, athletic players who can get out in transition as possible. That's why keeping Amir Coffey, who is currently signed to just a training camp contract, makes plenty of sense.
Bucks must find a way to keep Amir Coffey
The Milwaukee Bucks were a poor transition team last season. Really, they were one of the worst units in the league. They ranked 27th in fast-break points per game, and the only reason it was that high was because of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Getting more points in this regard from everyone, not just Giannis, will be crucial.
Last season, Amir Coffey ranked 35th in the entire NBA in fast-break points per game with 199. For a role player who averaged under 25 minutes per game last season, Coffey landing at 35th in the entire league is undoubtedly impressive. In fact, only one of the 34 players above him logged fewer minutes than him. He didn't play major minutes, but Coffey was always active - and capitalizing - on the break.
The only Milwaukee Bucks who were in town for the whole season who posted more fast-break points than Coffey were Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gary Trent Jr., Damian Lillard, and Taurean Prince. With Damian Lillard no longer on the team, and the team clearly wanting to speed things up, acquiring a proven transition threat like Amir Coffey feels like a move that could help fill the gaps.
Shortly down the list at 48th is Kyle Kuzma, who wasn't in Milwaukee until after the trade deadline. He and Coffey, alongside Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince, could help Giannis Antetokounmpo, the league's most dominant transition threat, shatter last year's woes and become a strong transition team. That goes without mentioning energetic point guards like Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony.
It could unlock a level of this Milwaukee offense they've been missing for years.
Milwaukee's roster maneuvering over the next couple of weeks will be fascinating to watch. Even if he agreed to sign an Exhibit 9, which permits Coffey to only join the Bucks for camp, it still feels unlikely that he's only in town for a week or two. Letting go of a forward who could help tackle many of the team's most pressing questions, including the fast break points, would be a head-scratcher.
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