Bucks News: Let’s Jam on some possible Roster Updates
Now that Milwaukee has settled on its next coach in former Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, it is time to figure out who’ll be playing for him other than Giannis.
Related: Horst Reveals Why he Hired Adrian Griffin
Griffin is an unproven addition who seemed to take a long time to be introduced as the franchise’s next head coach. But the rumor mill is what it is. Now, the Bucks will focus on the upcoming NBA draft and who to bring back. Per Bucks source Eric Nehm, it sounds like everyone is coming back. Then again that feels like it is still anyone’s guess.
Of course money will be a factor. It always is.
Milwaukee spent $178 million dollars on player salaries in 2022-2023 which put them 28 million dollars over the NBA’s luxury tax. ($150 million) The Bucks currently are $27,000,000 over the ACTIVE NBA Salary Cap. The NBA informed teams a few weeks ago that the NBA salary CAP number will go up for the 23-24 season to 134 Million dollars per tram. The current CAP number is 124 million per year.
The Bucks are going to need to start making some decisions. Milwaukee currently only has seven players under contract for the 2023-2024 season.
One of those moves is simple: pick a young player in the second round of the upcoming NBA Draft.
Related: Are the Bucks “Over the Hill”?
NBA Draft Pick Update
The NBA draft will be held on Thursday June 22nd. The Bucks hold the 58th pick. So, even though not much needs to be said or done in terms of researching first round talent, Milwaukee will acquire a player who you’d assume will get bench minutes this season.
French star Victor Wembanyama is expected to go first overall. In a previous piece here is a “MOCK TRADE” with him for Giannis. (Needless to say it was not a well-received idea.)
There have been some rumors that Milwaukee may try to acquire a pick in the top five. Those seem to be just that: rumors.
June 21st and Middleton
According to Sportrac, Middleton has to decide by June 21st if he will accept his $40,000,000 player option. Rumors also abound that he was “in” on the hiring of new coach Adrian Griffin. If that is true than you might think he is for sure “back”.
He still might “opt out” for a $200 million plus extension.
But Middletohn has been linked to a ton of different teams.
Some of those teams include the Lakers and Pistons. And possibly even the Celtics.
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Lopez and Carter
Brook Lopez has been linked to the Kings and to OKC. Here is a great reminder of how Lopez got that great nickname, “Splash Mountain” in the first place.
Jevon Carter also has a player option. According to Sportrac, Carter has to decide by June 29th if he will accept his player option.
So the possible order of how this will all go down appears to be a decision on Middleton, an NBA draft pick, a decision on Lopez and then a decision on Jevon Carter.
Keep your eyes here on WiSportsHeroics for all the up-to-date information as it comes in.
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