The Milwaukee Bucks are known to be a close-knit organization. Their fan base has unwavering loyalty to the two-time NBA champions. Milwaukee won their most recent title in 2021 and has grown a great relationship with the Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks have constantly been in the playoff picture since the late 2010s.
Giannis has done a great job attracting other great players to join the family, such as Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, and Damian Lillard. Hell, even Patrick Beverley squashed his beef with Lillard to join the Bucks. Who would’ve thought? It seems like the Bucks are bettering their chemistry since the All-Star break and have it made right now.
However, that has not always been the case for the franchise. Some players have had nasty fallout with the Bucks.
4 Players Who Burned Their Bridges With The Milwaukee Bucks
1.) Ray Allen
Ray Allen was drafted to Milwaukee as the 5th overall pick in the iconic 1996 draft. He ranks second all-time in the franchise for three-pointers made. Allen was also an All-Star three times during his time with the Bucks. He would leave the team during the 2002-2003 season to Seattle.
He had the decision to play for the Bucks during the 2014-2015 season, but Allen declined to play for anyone else. This was more out of disinterest than burning bridges, but the Bucks could have used his shooting and veteran presence. It would’ve been nice to have his farewell tour where it all began.
2.) Brandon Jennings
The part-time analyst on Gil’s Arena once played for the Milwaukee Bucks for the first four years of his career. Brandon Jennings was hooping in his fourth year, averaging 17.5 points with a career-high shooting percentage of 37.5% from beyond the arc.
However, he was very vocal about wanting to play for a larger market. This wasn’t very respectful to Bucks fans because they got him off a lottery pick. This scenario did work out for the Bucks in the long run, as they got Brandon Knight and Khris Middleton in their trade for Jennings to the Detroit Pistons.
3.) Stephen Jackson
The All The Smoke Podcast co-host is known for being very vocal throughout his career. Jackson did play for the Bucks in his 12th season and wasn’t playing well. He averaged 10 points with 35.7% shooting from the field and 27% from beyond the arc. Milwaukee eventually shipped him to Golden State, which sent him to San Antonio. In the pre-game press conference before playing the Bucks since the shipping, Jackson had some choice words for the Bucks.
I just wanted to be around a positive organization that’s used to winning and plays the game the right way,” Jackson said. “Milwaukee, they’re not used to winning. I just wasn’t going to go for it at the end of my career.
At that point in his career, he was 33 years old with a declining on-court performance.
4.) Malcolm Brogdon
The Bucks got a diamond in the rough when they picked up the Virginia prospect in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. Usually, second-round picks don’t get much playing time or start. Yet, that season, Malcolm Brogdon started his career with a bang by winning Rookie of The Year. It seemed like the Bucks found a solid guard to have around for a long time… until contract negotiations occurred in the 2019 offseason.
During the restricted free-agency period, Brogdon received an 85 million-dollar contract from the Pacers. The Bucks decided not to match the offer and let him walk. He didn’t have as big a role on the Bucks as other players on those teams.
After he left the Bucks, Brogdon had some words for them and said, “I would’ve loved to play for this team, if they had wanted me. If they had valued me the way the Pacers value me. That’s all I gotta say.”
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