The Milwaukee Bucks are one move away from plugging a critical hole in their rotation, and the player who fits best is someone fans already know quite well. Following the decision to waive-and-stretch Damian Lillard, Milwaukee has a clear need for reliable ball-handling and floor organization. And as strange as it sounds, the best solution might come from a familiar face who is not currently on the roster: Malcolm Brogdon.
The Bucks have been operating with a top-heavy structure in recent years, leaning heavily on their stars while filling in the margins with streaky role players. But this season’s depth chart already feels more fragile than usual. Giannis Antetokounmpo will still be at the center of the equation, but the rest of the roster appears a bit lacking. That's where Brogdon would come in.
The 2023 Sixth Man of the Year has been quietly productive despite dealing with some injury troubles, and he would offer the type of veteran stabilizer this version of the Bucks desperately needs.
Brogdon would be a solid option for Milwaukee
Brogdon’s game has aged well: he remains efficient off the dribble, typically shoots a dependable percentage from beyond the arc (we'll consider last season an outlier), and rarely turns the ball over. More importantly, he understands the Milwaukee system and the expectations better than most outside candidates could.
Milwaukee’s front office knows that internal development alone will not be enough to fill the void left by Lillard. Rookie guards are not going to carry the offense in crunch time, nor is it wise to rely on Giannis to carry the ball up the floor and initiate every half-court set over 82 games. Brogdon, who could still be acquired this offseason, would provide a plug-and-play option that immediately improves the second unit.
There is also a natural rotation fit. The Bucks certainly have room for a veteran guard who can toggle between lead and off-ball duties depending on matchups. Brogdon offers that kind of flexibility, and would not require a massive usage rate to be effective.
The Bucks might still explore other options, but if they are serious about competing for a title this season, then the answer is not far away. It's just not on the roster yet.