There is not much wiggle room for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Therefore, they should be looking at reclamation projects to bolster their roster.
Gary Trent Jr. wasn't necessarily a reclamation project, but he showed there is still value in the market at a lower cost. With several holes to fill on the Bucks' roster, they could find their answers in guys looking to prove they still belong in the NBA. Let's analyze three.
1. Justise Winslow, Wing
The first name is someone that the organization should be familiar with. Wing Justise Winslow spent the 2024-25 season on the Wisconsin Herd, where he looked good. After ankle surgery at the end of the 2022-23 season, the 29-year-old has been trying to work his way back into the NBA from the G League.
With the Herd, he averaged 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals on shooting splits of .486/.349/600. Winslow did this in just 21 minutes per game, showing that he still could be effective in the NBA. The 10th pick of the 2015 draft had a decent start to his career, spending five years with the Miami Heat before bouncing between franchises and being unable to tie down a spot.
Back in November, Winslow said he was itching to get back to the NBA. Milwaukee needs to add wing depth. Taurean Prince is a free agent, Pat Connaughton is not impactful enough and we still don't know what the plan is with Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston, whose contracts are not fully guaranteed for next season. Winslow is still in his prime, and at such a low cost, he could be a depth piece.
2. Markelle Fultz, Guard
Damian Lillard's injury means he will miss the majority of the 2025-26 season. This opens the door for point guards wanting to prove themselves. Ryan Rollins had a great season, starting as a two-way player before becoming Lillard's backup. With space available, Markelle Fultz could be a cheap option that the Bucks look at bringing in.
The No.1 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has dealt with injuries throughout his NBA career, struggling to recreate the offensive prowess he had shown during college. Two years in Philadelphia were followed by a five-year stint in Orlando, where he found his way into their rotation and became a key piece of the roster. He was a free agent for most of this season, but signed for the Sacramento Kings in February and featured in 21 games.
He never cracked the rotation in what has been a chaotic season for the Kings. For the Bucks, he could be a low-cost backup guard who allows Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. to rest (if both re-sign). Fultz has never had a reliable jump shot, but his playmaking would take some pressure off his teammates and hopefully the Milwaukee Bucks can continue adding shooters.
3. Bol Bol, Center
It is well known that the Milwaukee Bucks' frontcourt was a big problem this season. Brook Lopez's lack of athleticism made it difficult to keep him on the floor. Bobby Portis missed 25 games through suspension, and Jericho Sims missed time with injury. Milwaukee is desperate for a mobile big man and Bol Bol could very well be the answer.
At 7-foot-3, Bol would give the Bucks great size alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he has shown that he can stretch the floor, shooting 34.4 percent from deep this season. He isn't as bulky as recent Milwaukee Bucks centers, but he is more mobile and athletic and is still 25.
Bol would come in as a cheap option and has the size to be a rim protector. He wouldn't be the starting five, but he can easily have an impact, just not to the level of Victor Wembanyama, despite what Shaquille O'Neal thinks.
It will be an intriguing offseason in Milwaukee. There is nothing concrete yet about what is happening with Giannis. They have one draft pick in the second round, and there are decisions to make over players hitting free agency. These three reclamation projects will not fix everything, but they can certainly be cheap options with something to prove.