The Milwaukee Bucks have already accomplished a great deal in free agency. In addition to re-signing Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Jae Crowder, the team has also signed free agents Robin Lopez and Malik Beasley.
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So far, their roster is looking like one that can compete for another NBA Championship. There is, however, on glaring weakness. The departure of Jevon Carter via free agency to the Chicago Bulls has left the Bucks without a backup point guard.
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The Milwaukee Bucks Could Sign Free Agent Guard Kendrick Nunn
Due to the team’s salary cap situation, whoever they sign to be their backup point guard will have to join via a minimum contract. That does not leave the team with many options. That is why Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report named Kenrick Nunn as Milwaukee’s top free agent target:
“The problem is [the Bucks] need to make changes on a limited budget. That’s never easy. They did, however, add Malik Beasley for cheap, addressing a need for more shooting. They could find extra shot-creation by adding Kendrick Nunn at a discount.
“The 27-year-old lost the 2021-22 campaign to a knee injury and spent last season getting his legs back under him. His numbers hardly leaped off the page (7.1 points and 1.3 assists in 13.8 minutes), but if they had, he would’ve landed well outside of Milwaukee’s price range.
“If Nunn is healthy now, he could be ready to get back to being who he was before the injury: someone who put up 15 points on 45.8/36.4/88.1 shooting with 3.0 assists against 1.6 turnovers in his first two NBA seasons.”
Nunn could truly be a steal for the Bucks if they can get him on a one-year minimum deal. The stats that Buckley references above for the 2022-23 season include his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he oftentimes found himself buried on the bench.
Following a midseason trade to the Washington Wizards, Nunn averaged 7.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. What is more exciting, though, and what would make him a perfect fit in Milwaukee, were his shooting numbers.
In 31 games with the Wizards, Nunn shot 45/39/90 from the floor. That 39% three-point percentage is very appealing for Milwaukee, who need to replace the 42% three-point shooting of Jevon Carter.
If Milwaukee cannot get Nunn on a veteran minimum, they could roll the dice with Andre Jackson Jr., whom they acquired from the Orlando Magic on a draft night trade. Additionally, the team is rumored to be in talks of a trade for Colin Sexton. Such a trade, though, would not help the Bucks’ point guard depth.
A trade for Sexton would not include Jrue Holiday, rather it would allow Holiday to shift over to shooting guard. Then, in addition to needing a backup point guard, they would need more free agents to agree to veteran minimum deals to replace they players they would send in return.
Therefore, Kendrick Nunn should be the team’s top free agent target, and if they cannot get him, they should look to Jackson Jr. or another free agent to fill that role.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Kendrick Nunn play?
Kendrick Nunn plays as a point guard in the NBA. As a point guard, Kendrick Nunn is responsible for leading the team's offense, organizing plays, and distributing the ball to his teammates.
Is Sexton still on the Jazz?
No, Sexton is no longer on the Jazz. He has signed an extension through the 2025-26 season after being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers. This extension makes him one of only two players on the 2023-24 Jazz roster with a contract of 17.5 million.
