The Milwaukee Bucks did not come anywhere close to accomplishing the goals they had for themselves going into the 2023-24 NBA season. After trading for Damian Lillard late in the offseason, the expectation was that he and Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with rookie head coach Adrian Griffin, would be one of the most dominant teams in the league and be a contender to come out of the Eastern Conference.
Unfortunately, that is not what happened. Lillard and Giannis did not have enough time to develop the kind of chemistry they needed to best compliment each other on the court. Coach Griffin lost the locker room (and the fanbase) quickly and was fired midway through the season. Additionally, Milwaukee’s bench proved to be woefully underwhelming, especially when they were needed the most.
The Milwaukee Bucks Struggled to Overcome Injuries Due to Poor Bench Play
Even before Doc Rivers took over as head coach, the Bucks struggled with injuries throughout the season. After he took the job following Griffin’s firing, well, Giannis, Lillard, and Khris Middleton only played six games together.
With their stars injured and out at one time or another, Milwaukee was forced to rely on bench players like Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Patrick Beverley, and Jae Crowder to pick up the slack. As the regular season drew to a close, though, it was all-too obvious that none of those players would be able to adequately fill in for the injured starters.
Heading into next season, it has already been made apparent that Crowder will not be back. Beverley has stated that he wants to play for the Bucks again and would be willing to sign with them again, but he thinks he has earned a pay raise, and Milwaukee cannot afford to give out anything other than veteran minimum contracts.
Portis and Connaughton are both under contract for next season, but both also are the best realistic trade pieces that Milwaukee has (Khris Middleton is not going anywhere). Either one of them could be shipped out for better shooters and/or defenders.
The Milwaukee Bucks Could Add a Local Three-Time NBA Champion in Free Agency
As general manager Jon Horst plans the Bucks’ roster for next season, it is apparent that Milwaukee is in need of two things: shooters who can also defend well and a backup center. Even if Portis does not get traded, it was proven by the Bucks’ first round loss to the Indiana Pacers that a trio of big men is not enough for them. Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Portis are all good at their jobs, but if one of them gets injured, the team is severely shorthanded.
As mentioned, the only free agents that the Bucks can afford to sign are those that are willing to play for the veteran minimum. According to a recent report, one big man, who happens to be from Milwaukee, will be made available very soon and could be signed for that amount.
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic recently said on an episode of the Warriors Plus Minus podcast that three-time NBA Champion center Kevon Looney is expected to be released once the NBA offseason begins:
“I think the likeliest situation is that he’s cut and he makes $3 million from them and he’s off looking for another spot, and there will be another spot for him in this league. Teams are going to want him, again for a very low number, but they’re going to want him.”
Even if Milwaukee hangs onto Portis, Looney would make a great addition to the Bucks’ bench. In a mostly reserve role last season, the Hamilton High School alumnus averaged 4.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game. As a starter in 2022-23, he averaged 7.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.
The downside to Looney is that he is not a shooter, and the Bucks thrive off of spacing the floor for Giannis and Lillard. However, having someone who can play good defense down low and grab rebounds off the bench is something the Bucks did not have last season.
Looney making a homecoming return to Milwaukee could make a lot of sense.
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