Milwaukee Bucks' 'Best New Weapon' for New Season, Revealed

Milwaukee Bucks’ ‘Best New Weapon’ for New Season, Revealed

The Milwaukee Bucks made a couple of big moves in NBA free agency this offseason. There’s no doubt that their most substantial decisions centered around the new deals of Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, who have both agreed to remain in Milwaukee for a combined $150 million.

It is abundantly clear that the Bucks’ game plan for the new season in terms of their roster is to run it back with the same group. They did just that, while also adding a handful of new players to their squad to potentially bolster their title quest.

Malik Beasley Could Be X-Factor for Bucks in 2023-24

May 12, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Beasley (5) warms up prior to game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports (NBA NewS)

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report listed each team’s “best new weapon” for 2023-24. Given the limitations, Buckley believes that it’s Malik Beasley who’s going to fill this role for the Bucks this coming season. You have to note, though, that apart from Beasley, it’s only Robin Lopez who Milwaukee signed in free agency, while also adding Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston via the NBA Draft.

Beasley appears to be the winner by default, but nevertheless, the veteran’s arrival could still prove to be an x-factor for the Bucks this year:

“Malik Beasley isn’t guaranteed to crack [the rotation] either, but given Milwaukee’s need to maximize spacing around Giannis Antetokounmpo, one would think Beasley’s outside shot would be an asset. He doesn’t have much to his game beyond that, but his three-ball, which has a 37.8 percent success rate for his career, has typically registered between good and great,” Buckley wrote.

Last season, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard landed with the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a mid-season trade that centered around D’Angelo Russell and Russell Westbrook. In 26 games for LA, Beasley averaged 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 23.9 minutes off the bench. Beasley also knocked down 2.5 triples per contest on a 35.3 percent clip, so he’s obviously still a potent threat from beyond the arc.

The Bucks did lose Wesley Matthews to the Atlanta Hawks in free agency, and his 15.8 minutes per game will be up for grabs. Beasley could play a similar role this coming season, and with a bit of luck, Milwaukee may have gotten themselves a low-risk, high-reward player for 2023-24.

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