While Day One of free agency was relatively calm for the Milwaukee Bucks, Day Two saw a flurry of moves that helped rebuild the depleted roster. There is arguably no team that has had as dramatic a week as the Bucks, but things are starting to come together for the team. From signing veterans to picking up some undrafted free agents, here are your Milwaukee Bucks free agency updates.
Veteran Free Agents
The Bucks made two splashes in the free agent market on Saturday by signing point guard DJ Augustin and power forward Bobby Portis.
Free agent guard DJ Augustin has agreed to a three-year, $21M deal with Milwaukee, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
Bobby Portis is joining Milwaukee on a two-year deal, with a player option in the second season, sources said. Bucks receive a major frontcourt addition, and Portis has opportunity to play key role on a title contender. https://t.co/fr5SKO501u
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
DJ Augustin is an 11-year veteran point guard who averaged 10.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists off the bench for the Orlando Magic last year. While his shooting percentages were slightly down last year (39% from the floor, 34% from three), over the last three seasons, he is averaging 43% from the floor and 39% from three. His shooting numbers may improve as a member of the Bucks, who have many more offensive weapons than the Orlando Magic. In other words, the shots he takes will be easier due to floor spacing. He also will not need to create his own shot as often.
Bobby Portis is a five-year veteran who spent last season with the New York Knicks. In a reserve role, he averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. For his career, he has shooting averages of 45/36/76. He is entering his age 25 season, so his addition to the Bucks’ bench helps make the roster a little younger. Like Augustin, he too will most likely benefit from finally playing on a team with many more offensive weapons than his previous teams (Chicago and Washington).
While Portis, no doubt, will come off the bench, it is unclear what Augustin’s role will be in terms of starting or coming of the bench. Jrue Holiday will be one of the Bucks’ starting guards, but it is unclear who the second starting guard will be. Holiday has played the two-guard role before, so Augustin could start as the point guard. Another option for the Bucks would be starting Donte DiVincenzo at the two and starting Holiday at the point. Yet another option is that the Bucks may still add a starting guard with a veteran minimum contract.
Undrafted Free Agents and Two-Way Contracts
While the signings of Augustin and Portis dominated the attention of Bucks’ fans on social media, the team continued to make some under-the-radar moves:
Breaking on @BonniesMBB: Free agent guard Jaylen Adams has agreed to a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, agent @MikeGTdot of @OneLegacySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
Undrafted free agent forward Mamadi Diakite – out of Virginia – has reached an agreement on a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, his agent @Gary_Durrant tells Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 22, 2020
Jaylon Adams spent last season with the Wisconsin Herd. As the team’s third guard, he averaged 21.5 points (48/40/76 shooting splits), 5.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. His performance earned him All-NBA G-League First Team honors. He did spend some time with the Hawks in 2018-2019, but did not have a very big role.
Mamadi Diakite is an undrafted free agent forward out of Virginia, the same school from which the Bucks drafted Malcolm Brogdon. Diakite played for four seasons at Virginia, winning the National Championship with the team in 2019. He increased his scoring averages in each of his four seasons, and became a starter during the 2019 season. Last year, Diakite averaged 13.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Another Pat Connaughton Update
On the first day of free agency, it was reported that Pat Connaughton was returning to the team on a two-year, $8.3 million deal. However, it is now known that the contract is for more years and more money than originally reported:
Free agent guard Pat Connaughton is returning to the Bucks on a longer than originally anticipated deal – 3 years, $16M — agents Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Gertler of @ExcelSM_bball tell ESPN. https://t.co/4sWp1un9Xb
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2020
The reason for the extra year is that the Bucks could use Connaughton’s Early Bird rights for this deal, leaving more money for the Mid-Level Exception, which was used to sign DJ Augustin.
What Is the Roster Like?
The Bucks have made a flurry of moves, but only have 11 players on the active roster. With so little cap room, it is unclear what moves they will be able to make going forward. One thing is for sure, this Bucks team is clearly better than last year’s team.
Milwaukee Bucks roster changes so far
In ⬇️
Jrue Holiday
DJ Augustine
Bobby Portis
Jordan Nwora
Sam MerrillOut ⬇️
Eric Bledsoe
George Hill
Ersan Ilyasova
Wesley Matthews
Robin Lopez
Marvin Williams (retired)Limbo ⬇️
Sterling Brown
Kyle Korver pic.twitter.com/oF8kfuXXeL— Cream City Central (@CreamCityCtral) November 21, 2020
*Note- this list does not include the undrafted free agents or two-way contract players the Bucks have added.
What’s Next for the Bucks?
Due to the hard cap, the Bucks will not be able to start the season with a full 15-man roster. They simply cannot afford it. However, they do still have a need for another wing player, preferably one that can shoot three’s and play defense. This player could join the team using the last veteran minimum contract the Bucks can afford to offer.
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