The Milwaukee Bucks are in an interesting position this offseason. On the one hand, they have two superstars in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on their roster. Such duo will ensure that the team is, at the very least, a competitive regular season team. Khris Middleton being the Bucks’ third option is also an immense positive.
On the other, Milwaukee also has a few challenges this offseason. They are paying their top players so much money that they are in the second apron of the NBA luxury tax. This means that the only free agents they can sign are two-way players (and there is a limited amount of them) and veteran players willing to play for the league minimum.
With an aging roster, the Bucks are also faced with the need of developing young players who, while they may not play right away, will be able to contribute in the future. It was this need that drove their selections of AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Milwaukee Bucks Sign Former Detroit Pistons Wing Stanley Umude to a Two-Way Contract
It is this need that also motivated the Bucks’ latest move in NBA free agency. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, Milwaukee signed former Detroit Pistons wing Stanley Umude to a two-way contract:
“Per a league source, the Bucks have agreed to a two-way contract with Stanley Umude for next season. Will Whitson of The Walk Pod was the first to report a deal.”
Like Bucks fan-favorite Bobby Portis, Umude played some of his college ball at Arkansas, where he averaged 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 37.1% from three.
Prior to transferring to Arkansas, Umude played for four years at South Dakota. His season there was the 2020-21 campaign when he averaged 21.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 35% from three.
Umude appeared in just 25 games for the Pistons over the last two seasons as he spent most of his time in the G League. In those games, he has averages of 5.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, but has shot 44.4% from three.
With the Motor City Cruise (Detroit’s G League team) last year, he averaged 16.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
What Is Next for the Milwaukee Bucks?
As mentioned, the Bucks cannot afford any free agents who will not sign for the veteran minimum. Of course, they may continue to find some of these players, but the only way from them to add the kind of talent that they need is going to be via trade.
Brook Lopez is a name that has been linked to multiple teams’ trade interests, including the San Antonio Spurs.
Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton have also been brought up as possible trade chips.
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